BSA Numbers Backlash

from the something-doesn't-look-right... dept

Yesterday we pointed out that the BSA had come out with their bogus annual numbers suggesting that software copying was a much bigger problem than it really is. It appears that a few more people are starting to point to problems with the BSA numbers as well. In the UK, Ross Anderson has, rightly, called the report "scare mongering" by the BSA -- and notes that this is all a decoy. The BSA is really trying to crack down on "grey market" sales (such as buying from a different country where the software is cheaper). Meanwhile, Bob Frankston is pointing out that cracking down on copied software in developing nations is only more likely to push them to create their own software industry rather than using American software and buying from us when they can. Oh, those unintended consequences...