Piracy cost in the country

By ETCO

Author: Affonso Ritter

Source: Affonso Ritter - Porto Alegre / RS - NEWS - 16/05/2010

Brazil lost US $ 20 billion to piracy last year, in taxes not collected and losses for companies, according to the Brazilian Association to Combat Counterfeiting (ABCF). A survey by Fecomércio do Rio de Janeiro reveals that almost half (46%) of Brazilians admit that they bought fake products in 2009. Most know that piracy causes unemployment (63%) and finances crime (69%). Still, the price is decisive: 94% buy because it is cheaper. If smuggling and other activities surrounding illegal trade are included, the informal economy generates R $ 850 billion a year, or 30% of GDP, according to the Institute Brazilian Competition Ethics Committee (Etco). Piracy was defined by Interpol as the crime of the century. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, piracy generates 7% of world trade or US $ 600 billion, surpassing the US $ 360 billion of drug trafficking.