|
What_is_Software_Piracy
| What is Software Piracy
What is software piracy? There are several kinds of software
piracy. The bottom line is when software is pirated, the
developer does not receive compensation for their work.
Effects of Software Piracy When software is pirated, consumers,
software developers, and resellers are harmed. Software piracy
increases the risk consumer's computers will be corrupted by
defective software and infected with viruses. Those who provide
defective and illegal software do not tend to provide sales and
technical support. Pirated software usually has inadequate
documentation, which prevents consumers from enjoying the full
benefits of the software package. In addition, consumers are
unable to take advantage of technical support and product
upgrades, which are typically available to legitimate registered
users of the software. Pirated software can cost consumers lost
time and more money.
Developers lose revenue from pirated software, from current
products as well as from future programs. When software is sold
most developers invest a portion of the revenue into future
development and better software packages. When software is
pirated, software developers lose revenue from the sale of their
products, which hinders development of new software and stifles
the growth of the software company.
Kinds of Piracy End User Piracy - Using multiple copies of a
single software package on several different systems or
distributing registered or licensed copies of software to
others. Another common form of end user piracy is when a cracked
version of the software is used. Hacking into the software and
disabling the copy protection, or illegally generating key codes
that unlocks the trial version making the software a registered
version creates a cracked version.
Reseller Piracy - Reseller piracy occurs when an unscrupulous
reseller distributes multiple copies of a single software
package to different customers; this includes preloading systems
with software without providing original manuals & diskettes.
Reseller piracy also occurs when resellers knowingly sell
counterfeit versions of software to unsuspecting customers.
Indications of reseller piracy are multiple users with the same
serial number, lack of original documentation or an incomplete
set, and non-matching documentation.
Trademark/Trade Name Infringement Infringement occurs when an
individual or dealer claims to be authorized either as a
technician, support provider or reseller, or is improperly using
a trademark or trade name.
BBS/Internet Piracy - BBS/ Internet Piracy occurs when there is
an electronic transfer of copyrighted software. If system
operators and/or users upload or download copyrighted software
and materials onto or from bulletin boards or the Internet for
others to copy and use without the proper license. Often hackers
will distribute or sell the hacked software or cracked keys. The
developer does not receive any money for the software the hacker
distributed. This is an infringement on the developer's
copyright.
Another technique used by software pirates is to illegally
obtain a registered copy of software. Pirates purchase the
software once and use it on multiple computers. Purchasing
software with a stolen credit card is another form of software
piracy. Unfortunately there are many kinds of software piracy
that has hampered the software industry.
These types of software piracy have hampered the software
industry. For the software industry to prosper and further
develop useful software for consumers please support and pay for
software. This results in better software for all.
To Report Piracy : Software Information Industry Association
http://www.spa.org/piracy/default.asp
About the author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc.
http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric
paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other
sites by Sharon can be found at
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com and
http://www.small-business-software.net
|
|
| |
| |
