According to a recent study, 2.7 million Europeans have lost
their jobs since 2004 due to unlicensed downloads. The study,
commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce, found that
economic losses caused by illegal downloads could climb to €32 billion
by 2015.
The authors of the study concluded that anti-piracy efforts should be
at the top of the agenda of all policy makers. Interestingly, the study
found that the UK was the hardest hit region, as it has the highest
number of jobs in creative sectors.
Researchers acknowledge that most piracy comes down to sharing
installation discs among friends and family. Peer to peer sites, the
nightmare of the music and movie industry, account for around 34
percent of illegal downloads.
More
here.