Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Software piracy level down by 2%

While browsing today's Star In.Tech (page 3), it was noted that the software piracy rate in Malaysia has declined by only 2% from 63% to 61% last year.

According to the same report, the Asia Pacific region has three of the world's top five pirating countries namely Vietnam (92%), China (90%) and Indonesia (87%). "Worldwide, one out of every three copies of software in use has been obtained illegally."

Within the same issue on page 26 features the plights of the original DVDs in China where it is having a tough fight with the pirated version. It was estimated that last year, Chinese consumers brough about one billion home video discs where 95% of them were pirated.

Question: How to fight pirated copies of software where there is abundant of demand and supply which fulfill the basic requirment of economic theory?

Tonight's heavy rain (which causes the pasar malam traders to close their businesses earlier) is one of the solution. No pirated CDs or VCDs for at least a day.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, of course there are less people buying pirated CDs and VCDs as we can all download songs and movies through the internet now..for free..

Anonymous said...

Pirated cds and all are cheaper...but the original ones cannot lower their prices to win over the customer because they will be making a loss if they do that. The cost of producing those cds and software are far more expensive compared to the pirate's cost of copying. *sigh* it's a pity to the company who produces original ones....

Anonymous said...

Well, as for me, I'll purchase original CDs or VCDs if I REALLY like them. And for those which I'm 'so-so' about it (just for the sake of listening or watching), I'll go for the pirated one. If the original prices are too high, I'll just wait for sales. Sometimes after a long time waiting, I'll lose interest in buying them and I can save up!

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, it is difficult for the people to purchase original copies of software since it is much more expensive than the pirated software copies. There are many ways to solve this situation, for example, government rules and regulations. However, this may not resolve the problems effeciency as the consumers have treated those pirated copies as this has become their habit and attitude towards the pirated software copies. What i can suggest is perhaps the government should put effort in providing 'protect the original software copies' seminar or education to the public especially in the primary school. They also can set a rule where the sellers should reduce the selling prices of original software copies. This, inturn, can attract more people to buy the original ones rather than pirated copies.

Anonymous said...

i can guarantee that i have never bought any a original CD or VCDs, beacause i cant afford it, nowadays, original DVDs was sold about Rm60-100 somethings, that is too expensive for me..
i can buy about 10 more pieces of pirated DVD movies and i dont think people would keep watching a movie over several times, and it makes me feel not worth at all..although it is a bit difference on the quality