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Microsoft loses 80pc local revenue to piracy
Photo/FILE Microsoft controls close to 90 per cent of the global computer software market. Whether open source software is less costly to administer than proprietary software, argue the experts, depends largely on a ready pool of resources trained on the system, the availability of administration tools that allow system administrators to manage a greater number of systems, and the number of version upgrades and patches that are issued by the developer.
Posted Thursday, November 10 2011 at 18:25
Computer software developer, Microsoft, is losing about 80 per cent of revenue from software sales due to piracy.
A report released by the company yesterday, showed that only 20 per cent of Kenyans use genuine software compared to 80 per cent who purchase pirated software.
“Other markets like Zimbabwe and Zambia are worse than Kenya with highs of 91 per cent in pirated software use,” said Michael Berenju, anti-piracy prevention manager at Microsoft East and Southern Africa.
In the last five years, Kenya has scored above 70 per cent in pirated software use. In 2010 and 2009, the figures stood at 79 per cent, and in 2008, it was 80 per cent.
“There has been a slight drop but that does not mean the trend we are currently observing is acceptable,” he added.
Pirated software
Globally, use of pirated software has risen. Last year, it was estimated to be at 42 per cent up from about 38 per cent.
Microsoft controls close to 90 per cent of the global computer software market.
However, its pricing model has made the company less appealing to individual consumers of software, making the government and corporate sector its top clients.
Genuine operating software from Microsoft ranges from Sh7,000 to Sh15,000. A pirated copy can be acquired for as little as Sh1,000 or less.
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