Nearly every second software programme installed in Ireland in 2003 was pirated, according to a world-wide study published today.
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) said its Global Piracy Study shows 41 per cent of software used was copied - ahead of the EU average of 37 per cent. The study estimated the cost to publishers was around €8 billion in the EU market.
Mr Julian McMenamin, chair, BSA Ireland said: "Unfortunately, this demonstrates that Ireland is failing to capitalise on the benefits that even a 10 per cent reduction in software piracy could bring by 2006 - including over 2,400 new jobs and in excess of €236 million in tax revenues".
He said the issue was particularly important to Ireland as the largest exporter of software in the world.
"With a software piracy rate of 41 percent our valuable software industry is being seriously undermined as we fail to recognise the value of software and demonstrate strong IP protection," Mr McMenamin added.
Nine EU countries have a lower piracy rate than Ireland, the survey found: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Britain.
The BSA also today announced a five-point plan to tackle the issue, including a schools, universities and businesses campaign highlighting the need for respecting software copyright and the legal and security implications of piracy.
Conducted for the first time by global technology research firm IDC, the study covers major software market segments including operating systems, consumer software and local market software.
IDC surveyed worldwide data for software and hardware shipments, conducted more than 5,600 interviews in 15 countries and analysed local market conditions. It said the EU rate of piracy was similar to that of other regions globally.