(2/16/99)

Software giant Microsoft claims the Utah economy is being hit hard by software piracy -- to the tune of 1,600 jobs and $200-million.

At a conference in Salt Lake today, Microsoft released Utah's results of a nationwide study it commissioned. It says the unauthorized use of software hurts the company AND customers.

Larry Whipple, of Micro Domain, says, "We get unscrupulous people coming to us and asking us to give them product."

) Microsoft said piracy is an even bigger problem in Utah than other states.

The national software piracy rate is 27 percent -- meaning one in four copies of software are illegal. Utah's rate is 37 percent.

Microsoft said it's trying to raise awareness about piracy -- Not attempting to restore its image in the face of antitrust allegations.