Software Piracy: A euphemism for Stealing

License what you use, Copyright violation is a criminal act

Like electronic identity theft, computer viruses and the spread of other computer crimes, Software Piracy is on the rise. The problem with software piracy is that software costs make this illegal activity appealing. It is best to AVOID software piracy at all costs.

Here’s an example of what can happen. You purchase a software program for your graphics department; install it on your designers PC and a year down the road, that person gets a new PC. Depending on the type of license agreement, odds are you may remove it from the old PC and legally reinstall the software on the new PC. But, what happens if someone forgets to remove it and that old PC is re-purposed for a different employee? Now you are in violation of the license agreement. Big deal you say…everyone does it. Unfortunately, “everyone does it” is not a good legal defense.

So what is software piracy?

It is the unauthorized duplication, distribution or use of computer software – for example, making more copies of software than the license allows, or installing software licensed for one computer onto multiple computers or a server.

Copying software is an act of copyright infringement, and is subject to civil and criminal penalties. It is illegal whether you use pirated software yourself, give it away or sell it. And aiding piracy by providing unauthorized access to software or to serial numbers used to register software is also illegal.

Here are the dangers of using pirated or counterfeit software:

• You aren’t going to get the product support you need when a problem occurs.

• You aren’t going to get upgrade information or special (legal) deals that might come handy.

• Without genuine software, you can’t be sure what you get, you can be infected with viruses or tainted by broken or incomplete code.

Only use authorized software. If you need to use additional software, then the following rules are to be followed:

• Use software that is acquired through organization’s authorized channels.

• All software’s should be installed by an authorized IT person ONLY.

• Do not copy or use unlicensed software.

• Do not keep copy of the software installable on your system.

• Do not download freeware and shareware from the Internet.

• Do not try to change any network settings on your own for downloading the software.

Final thoughts:

You have got enough stuff on your plate already, customers, deadlines, margins, etc. So the last thing you are probably thinking about is whether or not all your software installed on the system is licensed. Take some time to self-audit your system before you are surprised with an audit.

Sharing or Downloading software without paying for it is against the law. So buy stuff and stay out of court.