Microsoft highlights impact of piracy during global celebration of World Intellectual Property Day

Artists, inventors, musicians, doctors, computer scientists... behind every innovative, life-changing product or idea stands an imaginative, inspired person willing to do what it takes to see it through every stage – from concept to creation to delivery. Unfortunately for many innovators, piracy deters this success and can discourage development.

As the World Intellectual Property Organisation marks its 12th annual World Intellectual Property (IP) Day by focusing on Visionary Innovators, Microsoft Malta recognises the many people behind the intellectual property that has revolutionised the way we live our lives each day.

It recognises that piracy hampers the innovation that World IP Day celebrates. In Malta, the piracy rate is currently estimated at 43 per cent. This translates into losses of around $6 million, according to the most recent BSA and IDC Global Software Piracy Study published in 2010.

“Intellectual property protection is the backbone of innovation,” said David Finn, associate general counsel, Worldwide Anti-Piracy and Anti-Counterfeiting at Microsoft. “When people invest time and considerable resources into nurturing an idea or product, only to have it stolen, it breaks down the research and development cycle, resulting in less investment in new ideas. Quite simply, piracy stifles innovation.”

In 2011, the Business Software Alliance issued a report detailing the contradictory attitudes of global PC users. According to their survey, 71 per cent of computer users globally said they supported intellectual property rights, yet 47 per cent obtain their software illegally most or all of the time.

“A person cannot say they support intellectual property rights, and then turn a blind eye to piracy,” said David Finn. “That’s like telling your kids to play football by the rules, and then using your hands.”

Protecting intellectual property fosters innovation, which leads to economic growth and job creation, and encourages the development of knowledge-based industries. Innovators and organisations around the world can gain a better understanding of the value of building a sound IP environment by visiting Microsoft’s IP Licensing site. More information about genuine Microsoft products, licensing and labels is available at www.HowToTell.com