Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: February 15, 2008

Colorado Springs Business Journal, Feb 15, 2008 by Joan Johnson

Software piracy affects the Colorado economy, eliminates local jobs and damages local industries.

During 2003, piracy cost the Colorado economy more than 2,100 jobs, more than $122 million in wages and salaries, more than $178 million in retail sales of business software applications and about $29 million in taxes.

During 2006, the U.S. software industry lost $7.3 billion as a result of software piracy, an increase of $400 million compared to the previous year.

Using unlicensed software also can be costly for businesses.

Denver-based TruStile Doors, a national manufacturer of doors for residential and commercial applications, agreed to pay $92,500 to The Business Software Alliance to settle claims that it had unlicensed copies of Microsoft and Symantec software on its computers.

In addition to the payment, the company agreed to delete all unlicensed copies of software installed on its computers, acquire any necessary replacement licenses and commit to implementing stronger software license management practices.

"BSA hopes this settlement will continue to remind businesses of all industries about the high price of infringement and the importance of software compliance," said Jenny Blank, senior director of legal affairs. "Emphasizing the need for compliance is extremely important for all companies. To help businesses, BSA offers free resources and information to help them implement and remain license compliant."

During 2006, 35 percent of the software installed on PCs worldwide was did not have legal licenses, amounting to nearly $40 billion in global losses because of software piracy. The "Global Software Piracy Study," conducted by IDC for the BSA, shows that 21 percent of software in the United States is unlicensed.

Confidential reports about software piracy can be made at www.bsa.org or (888) NO-PIRACY.

Penalties for software piracy can include fines of up to $150,000 for each software title copied.

Retailers begin stocking TV converter boxes

Retailers are helping consumers prepare for the switch from analog to digital TV -- which is scheduled to take place at midnight Feb. 17, 2009.

TVs connected to satellite or cable providers will not be immediately affected by the transition. But millions of consumers who rely on over-the-air signals and who have older TV sets with analog only tuners will purchase converters to continue watching TV.

The government is expected to mail the first round of $40 digital converter box coupons this month.

Eight of the largest consumer electronics retailers -- Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target and Wal- Mart -- are among the 250 retailers certified by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to participate in the coupon program.

QVC, J&R Music World and Sewell Direct plan to accept coupons online, and Best Buy and QVC plan to accept coupons via a toll-free telephone number.

Circuit City will start stocking the DTV converter boxes the weekend of Feb. 17, priced at $59.99.

Wal-Mart stores carry a Magnavox digital converter box, with a retail price of $49.87. According to its Web site, the boxes are in stock at several Colorado Springs locations.

The Nielsen Co. estimates that 13 million households (12 percent) will be impacted by the switch to digital broadcast signals.

Consumers can apply for digital converter box coupons at www.dtv2009.gov or (888) DTV-2009.