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What
is Software Piracy? |
by:
Sharon
Housley |
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
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
www.softwaremarketingresource.com
Circulated by Bandoni
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