Pirated software

Thirty-five percent of the software on PCs worldwide in 2004 was pirated, according to a study by the Business Software Alliance. That cost software companies about $33 billion. The study, which is available here, says that about one-fifth of the software used in the U.S. is pirated. It does not mention governments at all, at least from what I read.

The report says that the world spent more than $59 billion on commercial packaged PC software in 2004, up from $51 billion in 2003.

I honestly don't have a sense as to how much of an issue this is among federal agencies. ARe feds using pirated software at all? If so, why? If you have any insights, either post a comment of send me an e-mail.