High piracy rate in RP still worries Microsoft

Despite efforts to curb high software piracy rate by both government and private sectors in the Philippines, software giant Microsoft Philippines still worries on the high piracy rate in the country.

Microsoft Philippines managing director Antonio Javier said a bigger chunk of the software piracy problem in the Philippines, is attributed to the "alibi PC" acquisition.

He said there are a lot of consumers who buy Personal Computer (PC) that insist not to buy licensed OS (Operating System) or other software at the vendor. Because of this, most PC buyers opt to install unlicensed OS or other software requirement with lesser cost.

However, he said consumers should be aware that one can not develop a business by using unlicensed software.

"The 'Alibi PC" problem really spurs piracy," Javier said in an interview recently.

Although, Cebu is positioned as the IT Hub in the Philippines, it has high software piracy rate of about 90 percent. National rate is at 70 percent.

According to Javier there are a lot of programs that Microsoft has introduced in order to lessen the high piracy rate in the country, one of those is to launch educational programs for PC users both individual and corporate markets highlighting the disadvantages in using pirated software products.

This year, Microsoft will be reducing the cost of its software products, including the new ones, such as Microsoft VISTA, Office 2007, and Microsoft Exchange.

Javier said cost of these software products will be cut off by 50 percent to make these products more affordable to the Filipino consumers.

Part of its purpose in establishing an office in Cebu, that would serve the Southern Philippine market, is to curb the piracy problem.

"We hope that through our presence here [Cebu] people would be able to respect IPR [Intellectual Property Rights]," said Javier.

Although, the government has the first hand authority to solve the piracy problem, Javier said Microsoft is also actively supporting the government in this program.

He said the government has a lot of priorities, solving the piracy program is only one of its many priorities. Microsoft will have to do its part, as this problem has already affected its business here.

"We want to help the government in setting up the whole knowledge economy in the Philippines," Javier said.