software piracy ==>
software theft
<legal> The unauthorised duplication and/or use of computer software.
This usually means unauthorised copying, either by individuals for use by
themselves or their friends or, less commonly, by companies who then sell the
illegal copies to users. Many kinds of software protection have been invented to
try to reduce software theft but, with sufficient effort it is always possible
to bypass or "crack" the protection, and software protection is often annoying
for legitimate users.
Software theft was estimated for 1994 to have cost $15 billion in worldwide lost
revenues to software publishers. It is a serious offence under the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988, which states that "The owner of the copyright has
the exclusive right to copy the work.".
It is estimated that European software houses alone lose $6 billion per year
through the unlawful copying and distribution of software, with much of this
loss being through business users rather than "basement hackers". One Italian
pirating operation employed over 100 staff and had a turnover of $10m.
It is illegal to: 1. Copy or distribute software or its documentation without
the permission or licence of the copyright owner. 2. Run purchased software on
two or more computers simultaneously unless the licence specifically allows it.
3. Knowingly or unknowingly allow, encourage or pressure employees to make or
use illegal copies sources within the organisation. 4. Infringe laws against
unauthorised software copying because a superior, colleague or friend compels or
requests it. 5. Loan software in order that a copy be made of it.
When software is upgraded it is generally the case that the licence accompanying
the new version revokes the old version. This means that it is illegal to run
both the old and new versions as only the new version is licensed.
Both individuals and companies may be convicted of piracy offences. Officers of
a company are also liable to conviction if the offences were carried out by the
company with their consent. On conviction, the guilty party can face
imprisonment for up to two years (five in USA), an unlimited fine or both as
well as being sued for copyright infringement (with no limit) by the copyright
owner.
Some people mistakenly think that, because it is so easy to make illegal copies
of software, that it is less wrong than, say, stealing it from a shop. In fact,
both actions deprive software producers of the income they need to continue
their business and develop their products.
Software theft should be reported to the Federation Against Software Theft
(FAST).
See also Business Software Alliance, software audit, software law.
(2003-06-17)
Nearby terms:
Software Publishing Corporation « software
reliability « software rot « software theft »
Software through Pictures » software tool » Software
Verification Research Centre
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