Vietnam remained the top country for counterfeit software last year, with a 97 per cent piracy rate.

It was followed by China (94 per cent) and Indonesia (89 per cent), according to the Business Software Alliance (BSA). Next on the list of worst offenders were the Ukraine and other CIS countries (89 per cent) and Russia (88 per cent).

Western Europe saw an average piracy rate of 34 per cent, with the UK losing an estimated $530 million (26 per cent), and Germany $635 million (28 per cent). The top offender in the area was Greece, with 66 per cent.

Eastern Europe had the highest regional piracy rate (63 per cent), costing it $404 million, the BSA claimed. Asia/Pacific saw a rise of three per cent to 51 per cent.

The US had a rate of 24 per cent, and Canada 38 per cent.

In addition, the BSA has launched its second annual BSA Sweeps Week in the US, which will involve it announcing 36 fines across the country worth $2.5 million. States to be hit include New York, Florida and California. ®

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