Ready, Fire, Aim! - Mihail's Public Blog: Broadband becomes ultimate piracy tool as traditional piracy continues

According to this Wall Street Journal story (subscription required), broadband is becoming the greatest threat "to software and entertainment companies battling copyright piracy in Asia, industry executives say."

"Countries with broadband see the most downloads" of music from illegal Web sites, said Harry Hui, president, Southeast Asia, for the Universal Music unit of France's Vivendi Universal. South Korea and Hong Kong, where broadband usage is high, are among the worst offenders, Mr. Hui added.

According to research concern IDC Asia Pacific, 19% of South Koreans and 11.5% of Hong Kong residents have access to broadband.

Microsoft estimates that more than two million Web sites world-wide sell pirated Microsoft products. For the fiscal year ended June 30, the company says it helped shut down 485 auction sites in Asia alone.

Even as technology and entertainment companies grapple with the broadband issue, traditional piracy continues to grow in the region. According to Business Software Alliance, an industry group, 50% of all business software being used in Asia is copied or counterfeit. China, where 92% of all business software is illegal, is the worst offender; Vietnam and Indonesia follow closely, at 94% and 88%, the group says.