Business Software Alliance (BSA) has revealed the commercial value of unlicensed software in Nigeria exceeded US$287 million in 2013, with about 81 per cent of software on PCs not having a proper licence.
The research said in spite of various regulations piracy of software continues to grow in Nigeria and other parts of the world resulting in various economic setbacks.
“The study clearly shows how much work still has to be done,” said Marius Haman, corporate attorney at the Digital Crimes Unit at Microsoft, one of BSA’s member companies.
“Reducing unlicensed software use will help to stimulate Nigeria’s economy, enhance businesses productivity and better avoid security risks. Security is especially important in light of the growing threat of cybercrime.”
In the Middle East and Africa, the commercial value of unlicensed software exceeded US$4.3 billion in 2013, while BSA said 43 per cent of installed software globally is not properly licensed.
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