At a time when software and move piracy is reaching an all time high, the Business Software Alliance has taken the somewhat unexpected step of withdrawing its support of federal legislation aimed at stopping online piracy. Following initial enthusiasm for the bill, it would appear that closer scrutiny of the provisions have prompted fears from the BSA that the 'Stop Online Piracy Act' risked being too harsh, potentially inviting lawsuits and laying web giants such as Facebook, Google and eBay open to being shut down should they unwittingly transgress the provisions of the bill. So, if a well thought through federal bill can't get the necessary backing of the very bodies it is designed to protect, i.e. the brand owners themselves, what can governments do to improve the situation and stem the flow of lost tax revenues caused by piracy?

With the black dog of recession angrily biting at the heels of many countries in Europe, and practically every penny in the coffers making a difference, now is really the time for consumers to recognise the responsibility they have to support legal trade that can help to nurture their countries back to healthy economies. Clearly legislative action is difficult to orchestrate but more focus on consumer behaviour and encouragement of a combined effort could be the start of something really positive and far-reaching.