Ireland's €2.1 billion IT sector could grow by 50 per cent if software piracy was reduced by one tenth, according to a study.
The study - conducted by the International Data Corporation (IDC) on behalf of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) - said a mere 10 per cent reduction in the current piracy rate between 2006 and 2009 would create a €3.4 billion industry.
IDC predicted this would create an additional 1,800 IT jobs, add €459 million in contributions to GDP and increase tax revenues by €235 million.
It said a reduced piracy rate of 10 per cent in the European Union alone could help the EU's IT sector grow to $429 billion - which would have substantial benefits for Ireland.
The study assessed the IT sector's economic impact in 70 countries worldwide and the benefits for countries that reduce software piracy and promote the protection of intellectual property (IP).
ICT Ireland's director Kathryn Raleigh said: "The IT sector is of huge importance to Ireland - it employs over 92,000 people and has a turnover of $52 billion."
"It is therefore vital that Ireland continues to reduce its piracy rates and to respect intellectual property, if Ireland is to remain attractive to foreign direct investment and competitive on a global scale," she said.
Chairman of the BSA in Ireland Julian McMenamin said: "Clearly, the IT sector - and the software industry in particular - is a powerful driver of economic benefits in the EU and around the world."
"Ireland however as a leading software exporter, stands to gain economically more than any other country from a reduction in the current levels of software piracy," he said.
"More needs to be done to protect the value of intellectual property in terms of education, legislation and enforcement if Ireland wants to realise the potential benefits the IT industry can bring," he said.
