Maybe a lot of us are guilty of copying pirated movies and software once in our life time. Excuses like “I can’t afford to pay”, why pay if you get if for free, and “information wants to be free” are some cliché to mention.
Let us understand here what is software piracy and how it became globally epidemic.
Software piracy is defined as the use of not legitimately paid for and used according to license terms. Software is typically sold as a license that gives the purchaser the right to install and use the software with specific rights such as number of computers or users. Cracking is the modification of software to remove or disable copy protection so the software can be used without purchasing a license or such that it can be installed on multiple computers. (www.mbtmag.com)
Many of us are pretty convinced that it’s okay to be involved in piracy as long as we are benefiting and that manufacturers or developers, as we believed, are not really shaken by these activities. But the big fact is, not because they are not talking too much and that you do not hear too much from them doesn’t mean they are not hurt. Literally, they are not talking; rather, the prices of legitimate software are pumping up-this is their voice. That is because not just “the three of us” are buying pirated software somewhere downtown, there are a lot of pirates anywhere, buying, duplicating, re-selling illegitimate software.
The anonymity of these culprits and ease of making distributing illegal copies taking advantage of the internet, makes it hard for software companies to detect and sanction the lawbreakers. Its million dollars/pesos loss and thousands of jobs lost for manufacturers and software vendors!. This isn’t a joke!
If you think you are getting a “small time” pirate, here’s the list of categories you may take a look:
“Hard core pirates or “the radicals” who believe all software should be free. This includes the hackers who can actually break the protection.
“Soft pirates” are those who have little conscience to download or purchase low cost version of software online. Maybe lots of us fall in this ditch. This type of pirates are aware of that the site is illegitimate but buy it anyway. At least somehow, this type actually pay for it in a lower price. These activities are not only illegal but also dangerous because they may be infected by internet viruses-malware or spyware.
“Piracy victims”. Well, you may have known many people in this category. They do not even know that the software they got are counterfeit. Maybe they are not aware that re-sellers for instance, installed pirated software.
“Rogue companies” are organizations depends on pirated software as competitive advantage of their business. These companies are making tight and effective antidotes and policies to avoid detection and prosecution in the courts.
Many laws has been made to prevent the issue of piracy. In developed countries, the laws punishing piracy are strict and punitive in nature. But in case of countries where piracy became as common and punishment is not strictly implemented, this is primarily because capturing the culprits is not easy as as capturing a physical theft. In a way, companies can lessen the booming piracy thru the following:
- Anti piracy programs and seminars that is open to vendors and users. There is really a need to inform not just the vendors but the users of the pros and cons of software piracy. As mentioned, there are lots of piracy victims who are unaware of the software they are purchasing. By informing them means, they will be able to capture the essence of why piracy is unethical and how it actually impacted other people’s welfare especially manufacturers and developers.
- Site audits to software vendors– this can be done by thorough inspection on the software vendors itself. This is to make sure that vendors are following and govern by rightful acts towards legitimate selling of software.
- Search warrants to inspect and confiscate computers with stolen software. The software companies can work hand in hand with local and government sectors to strongly implement the laws on piracy. In this case, if culprits are captured, they are liable for litigation processes for copyright infringement
- Adopt newer software piracy identification technologies to track illegal users and recover significant revenue. Maybe not all can afford this one, but it is like an investment that in the long run, companies can recover the cost they may lost if they use weak software piracy identification technologies.
When it’s commonly done doesn’t mean it is right. People who write the software have the rights to profit from it. Illegal copying of software means depriving the rightful owners of software of their hard earned income from the fruits of their labor. Pirating software costs everyone. Since not as many copies of software are sold, the software companies have to raise prices. This means that the legitimate users are incurring higher costs due to piracy. What if that legitimate user is your dad, your relative ? Then you are contributing loses in his part because he pays higher prices for legitimate software.
Technology is a gift. It is a gift that must be used for the good. In this getting vain world, what only remains are our faithfulness to humanity and integrity to uphold until the end times. In a way, we are making our own single step towards what we call CHANGE. As this old adage says ” No cause is lost if there is but one fool to fight for it”. NO TO PIRACY.
Sources:
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