The independent global research, conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC), also found that reductions in the domestic software piracy rate could jump start growth in the IT sector.

While IDC currently projects that the $6.6 billion local domestic IT sector will grow by 42 percent through 2009, a 10-point reduction in software piracy could increase that growth to 49 percent by 2009 to create a $10 billion industry.

The BSA-commissioned study, available online at http://www.bsa.org/idcstudy, is the only study of its kind, assessing the IT sector's economic impact in 70 countries worldwide and the benefits that could accrue to countries that reduce software piracy and promote the protection of intellectual property (IP).

With 1.1 million businesses worldwide, the IT industry contributes nearly $1.7 trillion a year to global economic prosperity. A 10-percentage point reduction in software piracy could generate $67 billion in new tax revenues worldwide.

"Clearly, the IT sector -- and the software industry in particular -- is a powerful driver of economic benefits around the world. But the current impact represents a fraction of the potential economic gains, which could be felt far beyond the software industry," says Stephan le Roux, chairman of BSA.