A new study showed that thefts of software in Hong Kong had dropped eight per cent last year compared with 1997.
The study, involving 15 economies, was conducted by the piracy watchdog Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Software and Information Industry Association.
It showed that piracy in Hong Kong declined from 67 per cent in 1997 to 59 per cent last year.
In terms of monetary losses, there was a drop to $260 million compared with $945 million in 1997.
BSA vice-president Tom Robertson said the decline could be attributed to the Government's aggressive campaign against piracy. But he said 59 per cent was still not an ideal level. He said the figure indicated that more than half the software applications used were still being pirated.
Mr Robertson emphasised there was a strong need to continue educational programmes and co-operative efforts with government authorities to combat software piracy.
