New Delhi, Dec 04: About Rs 33,800 crore was lost in revenue during the last three years due to software piracy, the Lok Sabha was informed today. According to Nasscom estimates, Rs 900 crore in revenue was lost in 1999-2000, Rs 1200 crore in 2000-01 and Rs 1700 crore was lost in 2001-02 due to software piracy, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sanjay Paswan said in a written reply in the Lower House.

Detailing the measures taken by Government to curtail software piracy, he said the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) of software was covered under copyright law, violation of which attracts both "fine and punishment".
Besides, Information Technology Act was expected to deal with software piracy, as also the Enforcement Advisory Council which reviews the progress of enforcement of copyright act.
To another question, Paswan said a proposal to rationalise service charges under Software Technology Part (STP) scheme was under consideration of the Government. Bureau Report