According to Business Software Alliance, Software Piracy is the unauthorized copying of distribution of copyrighted software because when you purchase software you are actually purchasing a license to use, not the actual software. If you make more copies of the software beyond the license agreement or permits, you are pirating.
2007 Business Software Alliance Reports
| Asia Pacific | 59% |
| Central / Eastern Europe | 68% |
| Latin America | 65% |
| Middle East / Africa | 60% |
| North America | 21% |
| Western Europe | 33% |
| European Union | 35% |
Due to small purchasing power of the people in developing countries like China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines, most businesses go for pirated software to save cost.
The Truth: giving away free software is a very difficult decision for small start-ups.
For example, my Software WinBubble and WinGuggle. It doesn't earn much because it's free.
Solutions that can fuel Free Software: Sponsorship and Advertisements
Fortunately, Our Friends from Free Software Foundation and Open Source Initiative have come up with software whose performance is acceptable with there counterparts.
| Paid Product | Free Software |
| Microsoft Windows XP/Vista | Ubuntu Linux |
| AutoDesk AutoCad | QCad Community Edition |
| Adobe Professional | GIMP |
| Microsoft Office | OpenOffice |
Hope this helps...
Enjoy!
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