software theft

    Unauthorised duplication and/or use of computer
   software.  This usually means unauthorised copying, either
   by individuals for use by themselves or their friends or 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 in 1994 was estimated to have cost $15 billion
   in worldwide lost revenues to software publishers.  It is an
   offence in the UK 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 someone 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.

   Because copying software is easy, some think that it is less
   wrong than, say, stealing it from a shop.  In fact, both
   deprive software producers of income.

   Software theft should be reported to the Federation Against
   Software Theft (FAST).

   See also Business Software Alliance, software audit,
   software law.

   (2003-06-17)