Software piracy dropped to 38% in 2011, says China.
The Business Software Alliance recently declared China the world’s worst offender when it comes to software piracy. Current numbers from the BSA say China has a piracy rate of 77%, a 2% drop from 2009’s numbers, and that it’s cost the software industry some £5.7 billion. China, however, says it’s got its peg-legged, parrot-owner infestation under control. State-run newspaper, China Daily, reported that, according to consultancy, China Labs, the rate of software piracy in the nation dropped to 38% in 2011.
Given the Chinese government’s tendency to be economical with the truth (though it’s worth noting the BSA is hardly completely impartial) I’d advise you take its numbers with a large, health-threatening dose of salt. On the other hand, the nation has made remarkable progress when it comes to reducing piracy. Back in 2003, the BSA put the nation’s piracy rate at a whopping 92 percent.
According to Zhai Lifeng, an official at the National Copyright Administration, during a 2011 crackdown, some 466 individuals and firms were given “administrative punishment,” while 66 cases warranted criminal investigation.
On the bright side, should anyone claim the Chinese government’s numbers are suspect, the nation can always crush them in its giant Not-A-Gundam.
Source: The Register
