Facts about Video & Computer game piracy
20
Aug
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