International Planning and Research Corp. (IPR), an independent research firm, conducted the survey for BSA. The software piracy estimates indicate that one in every three business software applications was pirated in 2000. The continuing software piracy problem signifies lost jobs, wages, tax revenues and a potential barrier to innovation and product development around the world.

"Although the piracy rates in several regions and countries have decreased, software piracy continues to rob the global marketplace of hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in wages and tax revenues," said Robert Holleyman, President and CEO, Business Software Alliance. "In an effort to curb software piracy worldwide, BSA continues to implement educational and enforcement activities and works with governments around the world in support our efforts to address the software piracy problem."

This week also marks the second annual BSA Sweeps Week in the United States. Starting today, BSA is sweeping across the United States, starting on the East Coast, winding its way through the country's midsection and ending up on the West Coast, as it announces more than 36 U.S. settlements totaling $2.5 million. U.S. Sweeps states include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and California.