Software Piracy Drains Utah Economy of More Than $206 Million in 1997

Local Software Industry Joins Fight to Stop the Practice of Illegally Copying Software

SALT LAKE CITY - Feb. 16, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today released statistics revealing that in 1997 software piracy caused Utah the loss of an estimated 1,660 jobs and more than $206 million in combined lost wages, tax revenues and retail sales, according to International Planning & Research Corp. (IPR) of Redmond, Wash.

The information was released as part of an educational effort by Microsoft to raise awareness that software piracy hurts more than just the software industry. The data underscores the adverse effect that software piracy - the theft of software through illegal copying of genuine programs or through counterfeiting and distribution of imitation products - has on local businesses and economies. IPR used data from a 1997 international piracy study published by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Software Publishers Association (SPA) along with additional data and analysis of piracy in Utah.

"The high technology sector is a leading contributor to the economic health of our state, and software piracy is like a disease that afflicts it," said Peter Genereaux, president and CEO of the Utah Information Technologies Association. "We have to work together to fight the unscrupulous merchants and counterfeiters who prey upon unsuspecting customers and harm honest businesses, and ultimately the local economy."

The national software piracy rate is 27 percent, meaning that one in four copies of software on the desktop are illegal. According to IPR, Utah's 36.3 percent piracy rate cost the state's workers approximately 1,660 jobs in 1997, which translates to more than $58 million in wage and salary losses. In addition, the data shows that Utah lost more than $14 million in state tax revenues that could have instead contributed to local and state improvement projects.

Microsoft announced the data in conjunction with its TechNet and Direct Access events being held in Salt Lake City on Feb. 16. The events bring together customers and channel partners to discuss technology implementation issues. Microsoft released the Utah statistics as part of a nationwide effort to educate the public on the detrimental impact of software piracy on every state in the United States.

"The high piracy rate in Utah should be of great concern to us all," said John Winger, director of strategic marketing at Powerquest, an Orem software vendor that develops, markets and supports storage device management software for network servers and desktop PCs. "It is vital that customers are conscientious about purchasing legitimate software and that businesses put in place the tools necessary to track software licensing."

The software industry is a significant driver of the current economic prosperity in the United States, accounting for the creation of more than 2 million jobs, $102.8 billion in software and software-related services, and payment of $7.2 billion in taxes. However, software piracy threatens the ability of the industry to continue to contribute to the American economy. According to a 1997 study by Nathan Associates Inc. of Arlington, Va., commissioned by the BSA, software piracy in 1996 resulted in the loss of 130,000 jobs in the United States, $5.3 billion in wages and salaries, and nearly $1 billion in tax revenues.

Microsoft encourages consumers to become familiar with the warning signs that can help identify counterfeit or illegal software.

• Prices that are "too good to be true." This may be counterfeit product, or product that has been misdirected, such as product authorized for distribution only to educational institutions but that is being offered to the general public.
• Back-up disks or CD-ROMs with handwritten labels, or components that appear to be of inferior quality
• Manuals that appear to be photocopied or are of inferior quality
• Products marked with a phrase, such as "For distribution with a new PC only," "Special CD for licensed customers only," "Not for retail or OEM distribution" or "Academic price - not for use in a commercial environment," that does not describe the transaction

In addition, when users acquire a new computer system, it will include operating system software. If that software is the Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system, it will be accompanied by a user's manual that incorporates a Certificate of Authenticity as the cover. The customer will also receive a CD-ROM with the software program. There must be an end-user license agreement (this may be seen online when the program is first run). If any of these elements is missing, the product is suspect.

Customers or resellers with questions about the legitimacy of Microsoft products should contact the Microsoft anti-piracy hot line, toll free, at (800) RU-LEGIT (785-3448), or send
e-mail to piracy@microsoft.com. More information about software piracy can also be obtained by calling the Business Software Alliance anti-piracy hot line at (888) NO-PIRACY (667-4722) or sending e-mail to software@bsa.org.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's corporate information pages.