Software manufacturers lost PLN 83 million in Poland in 2004 due to computer pirates. This is twice as much as in 2003.
The Business Software Alliance (BSA), representing the interests of application software manufacturers, reported that the losses mainly affect Adobe, Autodesk, Corel, Macromedia, Microsoft, and Symantec. According to the BSA, as part of nationwide proceedings, the police seized over 25,000 discs, 647 computers, and 53 burners last year. They also liquidated 22 illegal CD copying plants and 14 online stores distributing illegal discs.
Police officers from Gorzów Wielkopolski can boast an international success in the fight against computer piracy. As a result of a multi-month investigation, at the end of August they dismantled an organized group of over 100 computer criminals operating in Poland, the USA, Australia, Great Britain, and Slovakia.
According to BSA spokesperson Bartłomiej Witucki, companies are fortunately increasingly aware of the risks associated with illegal software.
– It is not just about civil liability or criminal sanctions. It is hard to imagine a company operating normally without computer equipment secured by the police – Witucki believes.
In his opinion, even if a settlement is reached with the injured party, it usually takes many days. And compensation must be paid. – The highest compensation in Poland so far amounted to nearly half a million zlotys – the BSA spokesperson noted.