NAM: New study shows international software piracy hampering manufacturers in the U.S.

In a press release, the National Association of Manufacturers (1/30) released a study by Bill Kerr, associate professor at Harvard Business School, and Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for NAM, which found that unfair competition fueled by stolen software is a major drain on the manufacturing sector.

Estimated losses between 2002 and 2012 totaled about $240 billion in manufacturing revenue, $70 billion in GDP and 42,220 manufacturing jobs.

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said, “The startling losses manufacturers have suffered in the last decade due to intellectual property (IP) theft should jumpstart action by our policymakers and law enforcement officials.” Timmons also said, “It’s absolutely clear that the effects of IP theft overseas are significantly felt here at home, threatening jobs, investment and growth.”