The IMSTA has launched the “Let’s Talk Piracy” survey, active until December 31, 2009. The non-profit group aims its campaigns at increasing awareness of piracy issues pertaining to professional audio software while also attempting to decrease demand for pirated software.

From the press release:

IMSTA’s goal is to collect information from software users on an annual basis, in order to identify specific trends in attitude towards the use of pirated software. The 2008 survey prompted over 3700 responses from 83 countries, with IMSTA member companies playing an active role in promoting the survey on websites, in newsletters and via e-blasts to registered users. The 2009 survey uses the same questions, enabling IMSTA to compare data year on year.

The annual survey is one of IMSTA’s most valuable pieces of research. Since survey participants can choose to remain anonymous, it is believed that the responses will give an accurate picture of their views. IMSTA is hoping that the 2009 survey will attract a large number of new participants, but we’d also strongly encourage 2008 participants to come back and re-visit the questions. It may be that their views on certain issues have changed over the course of a year and this is just the kind of information IMSTA would like to have.

This is a good orginization. They’re not like the RIAA or MPAA. They’re not out for blood. Instead, they’re opening a dialog with all of those who use professional-grade audio software in order to ensure that the industry has a future.

This is my opinion, but if you make money editing, recording, mixing, or mastering, you really should be purchasing any software you use. Respect your craft and realize that while you’re trying to make a living as an engineer, there are people trying to make a living from releasing the software you love so much.

To take the survey, visit http://www.imsta.org/