Kenya Copyright Board acting executive director Edward Sigei (left) and Microsoft country manager Kunle Awosike. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU
Software firms in the country have lost a cumulative Sh12.8 billion from illegal and unlicensed software installations, highlighting the challenge that piracy poses to technology companies.
The Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) says software piracy in Kenya stands at a staggering 78 per cent.
“Software piracy is increasingly stifling economic growth in Kenya today,” the board’s acting executive director Edward Sigei told the Business Daily.
“The rampant use of non-genuine software is denying the country an opportunity to derive gains from licensed software, which has shown greater return on investment elsewhere in the world.”
Mr Sigei spoke in Nairobi when the state-backed compliance agency kicked off a new drive to clamp down on illegal installations.
He cited a recent survey by BSA Global Software, an industry trade group that represents many software vendors and which estimates that 43 per cent of the software installed on personal computers around the world is not licensed.
The study found that increasing the amount of properly licensed software used globally by one per cent would inject an estimated Sh7.3 trillion ($73 billion) into the world economy compared to the Sh2 trillion generated with use of pirated software.
It is estimated that emerging markets account for 56 per cent of all personal computers in use globally and 73 per cent of all unlicensed software installations.
To curb the vice and encourage the uptake of genuine software, Kecobo has partnered with technology giant Microsoft in a month-long amnesty for individuals and companies using illegal software to allow them acquire genuine solutions.
During the amnesty period, Microsoft has undertaken to drive consumer awareness campaigns around the purchase and use of genuine software. The copyright agency will, after the expiry of the grace period, seek the arrest and prosecution of those who will be found infringing copyright laws.
Lack of awareness, the perception that genuine software is expensive, weak laws and poor enforcement are some of the factors that have slowed down the war against illegal software.
“By end of year we should be having the new law and it will be a big boost,” said Mr Sigei.
Microsoft country manager for Kenya Kunle Awosika said those who use unlicensed software compromise their own security as the installations are prone to cyber related attacks.
“Many people do not know that when using pirated software one has 74 per cent chance of falling victim to cybercrime,” Mr Awosika said.
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