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IDC survey: Software piracy hampering economic growth
The illegal copying and distribution of software is so widespread that it is hampering economic growth, according to an IDC survey commissioned by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

The survey estimates that 35 per cent of the software in circulation is pirated and further that the figure is falling by no more than one per cent each year. Such is the extent of organised piracy, the report notes, that it has become a legitimate business in some countries.

According to the report, though China may be one of the world's largest computer markets, it does not even figure in the top 20 for software sales, with a piracy rate of around 90 per cent. Russia is close behind with 87 per cent.

The report says that a 10-percentage point reduction in piracy could generate 2.4 million jobs and $400 of economic growth.

China, at least, has committed itself to removing all illegal software from state institutions and companies by the end of 2006.
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IMF approves US$4.8bn debt relief package
Washington, USA: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a US$US4.8bn package to cancel the debts of 20 of the world's poorest countries early next year, under a plan launched by the Group of Eight (G8) major industrialised nations.

The agreement will write off 100 per cent of debts owed to the fund at the end of 2004.

No provision has been made for debt issued after January 1, 2005.
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Daily Mail picks up property website
London: The Daily Mail and General Trust, owners and publishers of the Daily Mail and a string of regional publications in the UK, has moved to increase its share of the online advertising market by making an offer for the property website primelocation.com.

DMGT's move comes even as it prepares to sell off one of its prime media assets, the Northcliffe group of regional newspapers. The owner of the Daily Mail and London Evening Standard yesterday said Fastcrop, whose main asset is primelocation.com, had recommended that its shareholders accept a £48mn cash offer for the business.

Despite a 7% decline in advertising revenues at the Evening Standard in the year to October, property advertising increased by 10%.

DMGT announced its plans to sell Northcliffe this month with annual figures showing a 6.2% decline in classified print revenues at its national newspaper division, Associated Newspapers. It added that internet-related advertising sales, including the recently acquired Find a Property site for the middle to lower end of the property market, had grown by 74%.
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BoE keeps interest rates unchanged at 4.5 per cent
London: The Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged at 4.5 per cent on Thursday, just days after finance minister Gordon Brown halved growth forecasts, citing high energy prices and slackening consumer demand.

Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, has forecast 2.5 per cent GDP growth for 2006.
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WorldSpace subscriber base crosses 100,000
Silver Spring: WorldSpace, Inc. a world leader in satellite-based digital radio services, announced on Thursday that it recently passed 100,000 subscribers globally.

WorldSpace services have caught the fancy of consumers across the world, especially in India where the company remains focused on building content and partner networks to increase visibility and drive consumer demand.

"Reaching 100,000 subscribers is an important milestone for WorldSpace and it reflects the effective implementation of our strategic plan, which is to leverage attractive market opportunities for our subscription services," said Noah Samara, chairman and CEO, WorldSpace. "We are very pleased with our progress and we intend to continue aggressive sales and marketing efforts that will enable us to grow our subscriber base."

During 2005, WorldSpace has successfully launched roll-outs in nine cities in India, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Pune, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh. Launching in these cities has enabled the company to access a population of approximately 29 million in its primary target market. As of September 30, 2005, WorldSpace services were available at approximately 550 retail locations in India.

As the only company licensed to offer satellite-based digital audio radio services (DARS) outside of North America, South Korea and Japan, WorldSpace delivers a continually growing line-up of diverse, commercial- free content to its international subscribers.
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