The International Intellectual Property Alliance has filed its findings on piracy with the Office of the United States Trade Representative covering intellectual property issues in 60 countries. The letter quotes information from the MPA which alleges that criminal revenue from IP theft at $512 billion was greater than drug trafficking income at $322 billion during the full year 2004. The findings also indicate that the mark-up on DVDs is significantly higher than on drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Some of the companies on the organization’s watch list are probably not a surprise. They include China and Russia. But, there are a few surprises. Israel and Canada make the lost as well.
The study from the IIPA estimates that trade loses from piracy in the 60 countries being monitored was over $15.2. billion in 2006. with business software being the largest piece.
Microsoft (MSFT) and Apple (AAPL) have both been particularly active recently in calling for greater protection of their property overseas.
It is a great surprise that the US government is not willing to do more.
Douglas A. McIntyre can be reached at [email protected]. He does not own securities in companies that he writes about.
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