Millions lost to software piracy in Cyprus

Millions of pounds of revenue are lost each year to software piracy in Cyprus, with the price tag estimated to cost manufacturers at least CYP 4.5 mln annually.

Though the software piracy rate is on the decline, but according to Microsoft’s account manager in Cyprus, at least 25.000 out of 50.000 PCs sold in Cyprus had illegal software installed on them.

Mostly, it is Microsoft’s Windows operating system that is targeted. An original copy of Microsoft Office costs CYP 75, while copies sell for as little as CYP 20.

Software is often illegally copied on computers, with various businesses buying one set and then illegally installing it on a number of computers.

Achilleas Demetriades, Business Software Alliance’s (BSA) local counsel in Cyprus, said: “everybody is aware that a problem exists and the laws are in place, but we need the police and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enforce the law.”

The Cyprus Police’s anti-piracy unit was formed in November 2004 and plays a major role in the detection and prosecution of groups who make unauthorised use of products’ legal copyright.

New legislation introduced as part of Cyprus’ EU harmonisation policy, gives more power to the authorities to act immediately, confiscate pirate goods and to prosecute all involved. It provides for jail sentences of up to three years and financial penalties of up to CYP 30,000 for first time offenders.

BSA believes that the formation of the police unit is a major step in combating piracy in Cyprus. The establishment of the unit is a step in the right direction, given the fact that the detection of pirate products requires specialist know-how.