Facts about Video & Computer game piracy

Video & Computer Game Piracy
THE FACTS
What is Piracy? It includes:

• Copying or “burning” games to a disk

• Sharing games on peer-to-peer networks

• Illegally downloading games from the Internet

Is Piracy a problem? Yes

• 41% of Australians surveyed would buy a pirated game at a discount of 75% or less*

• Almost 50% said they would accept a game if it were free*

• Buying illegal games means you don’t know who you’re dealing with or where your money will go

Piracy affects us all and has specific costs for:
Retailers:

• It is estimated that local Australian games retailers lose $21.8 million and suppliers $4.3 million each year as a result of piracy*

Consumers:

• Game piracy means less industry investment in new game development and console technology for consumers

• Piracy denies Australians hundreds of jobs each year

Australian games industry:

• Australia has a world-class computer and video game industry. Every pirated game damages the future of games development in Australia

• Piracy costs the industry $100 million* in lost sales each year or 19 per cent of sales

Government:
Reducing piracy by 1/3 in the toy, software and video games industries would:

• Increase real GDP by $41 million – a net gain to the economy of $466.3 million*

• Raise real government tax revenue of $34.4 million – a net gain of $487.2 million*

• Grow consumer confidence

• Create greater certainty for investors – a strong intellectual property regime is a key factor in attracting overseas investment

_{*Source Allen Consulting Group}