well, Software piracy can be defined as "copying and using commercial software purchased by someone else". Software piracy is illegal. Each pirated piece of software takes away from company profits, reducing funds for further software development initiatives.

The roots of software piracy may lie in the early 1960s, when computer programs were freely distributed with mainframe hardware by hardware manufacturers (e.g. AT&T, Chase Manhattan Bank, General Electric and General Motors). In the late 1960s, manufacturers began selling their software separately from the required hardware.

Current illegal software in the US accounts for 25 - 50% of the software in use (see web sites below for further detail). Other countries often have levels of piracy well beyond that of the US. For example, Carol Bartz, the president and chairman of Autodesk, Inc. (www.autodesk.com) reports that one of their flagship products, AutoCAD, has 90% of the computer-aided design (CAD) market in China, yet sales are virtually negligible due to the widespread acceptance of software piracy (Fighting Computer Crime: A New Framework for Protecting Information, Donn B. Parker, 1998). A number of annotated web sites at the end of this document contain information regarding estimates of software piracy throughout the world. Bartz also states that many software companies are reluctant to pursue the educational market due to concerns that several copies of purchased software may lead to millions of copies of illegal software.
source site: http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~dstone/pir acy.html

Answered by Nidhi Singh , an ibibo Master, at 5:11 PM on September 30, 2008

well, Software piracy is the illegal copying, distribution, or use of software. It is such a profitable "business" that it has caught the attention of organized crime groups in a number of countries. According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA), about 36% of all software in current use is stolen. Software piracy causes significant lost revenue for publishers, which in turn results in higher prices for the consumer.

When you purchase a commercial software package, an end user license agreement ( EULA ) is included to protect that software program from copyright infringement. Typically, the license states that you can install the original copy of software you bought on one computer and that you can make a backup copy in case the original is lost or damaged. You agree to the licensing agreement when you open the software package (this is called a shrink wrap license), when you open the envelope that contains the software disks, or when you install the software.

Software piracy applies mainly to full-function commercial software. The time-limited or function-restricted versions of commercial software called shareware are less likely to be pirated since they are freely available. Similarly, freeware , a type of software that is copyrighted but freely distributed at no charge, also offers little incentive for piracy.
source site: http://whatis.techtarget.com/d efinition/0,,sid9_gci213592,00 .html

Answered by Romi , an ibibo Master, at 11:19 AM on September 25, 2008

hi negi!
The unauthorized copying of software. Most retail programs are licensed for use at just one computer site or for use by only one user at any time. By buying the software, you become a licensed user rather than an owner (see EULA). You are allowed to make copies of the program for backup purposes, but it is against the law to give copies to friends and colleagues.

Software piracy is all but impossible to stop, although software companies are launching more and more lawsuits against major infractors. Originally, software companies tried to stop software piracy by copy-protecting their software. This strategy failed, however, because it was inconvenient for users and was not 100 percent foolproof. Most software now requires some sort of registration, which may discourage would-be pirates, but doesn't really stop software piracy.

Some common types of software piracy include counterfeit software, OEM unbundling, softlifting, hard disk loading, corporate software piracy, and Internet software piracy.

An entirely different approach to software piracy, called shareware, acknowledges the futility of trying to stop people from copying software and instead relies on people's honesty. Shareware publishers encourage users to give copies of programs to friends and colleagues but ask everyone who uses a program regularly to pay a registration fee to the program's author directly.
for more inf check http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/sof tware_piracy.html

Answered by LAKSHMI V , an ibibo Master, at 3:25 PM on September 22, 2008

hi negi!Software piracy is the unauthorized duplication of computer software. Although most computer users today are aware that unauthorized use and duplication of software is illegal, many show a general disregard for the importance of treating software as valuable intellectual property.

Answered by raj u , an ibibo Master, at 2:21 PM on September 22, 2008

Software piracy refers to the unauthorized duplication and use of computer software. Software developers work hard to develop solid software programs. If those applications are pirated and stolen, the software developers will often be unable to generate the revenue required to continue supporting and expanding those applications. The effects of software piracy impact the entire global economy. The reduced revenues often divert funding from product development, and result in less research and less investment in marketing. In 2007, economists indicated that software piracy cost the industry $39.6 billion.

Software is intellectual property, and is protected by copyright laws in most countries. Most software licenses grant users the permission to use the software, but the license holder does not "own" the software -- they simply own a license to "use" the software. Pirating software, circumventing the copy protection, and not properly licensing the software is illegal in most of the world. And in most countries, it is illegal to violate or circumvent software copyrights. Unfortunately, due to the global nature of the Internet, it is often difficult to enforce those copyright laws. If the pirate or offender is located in a country that does not respect copyright laws, it can be difficult to enforce penalties against software pirates.

For more visit :

http://www.developer-reso urce.com/software-piracy.htm

Answered by Ashish Yadav , an ibibo Wizard, at 9:22 AM on September 22, 2008

Software piracy, otherwise known as copyright infringement, is one of several forbidden actions that may be taken by the end user of a particular piece of software. Virtually all software programs today carry an end user license agreement, or EULA. Upon installing the software, the end user must agree to the EULA, or click-through-license, before the software will install. The EULA lays out conditions under which the software may and may not be used in keeping with copyright protections. Software piracy involves breaking the EULA agreement on one or more conditions.

Some common examples of software piracy are:

Making counterfeit copies for sale: While software piracy laws differ from nation to nation, this particular infringement is illegal in most countries. Obscure exceptions might exist for uncommon circumstances in certain countries, such as modification of a program for benefit of the disabled, but in general, duplicating software for the purpose of selling it is the classic definition of software piracy.

Making counterfeit copies to give away: Though the United States recognizes "fair use" protection, which can allow protected work to be shared in a restricted manner as an allowable infringement, software piracy goes beyond "fair use." A less interpretive counterpart to fair use is "fair dealing," recognized by nations like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and the United Kingdom. These laws attempt to protect the rights of the end user and the good of society, counterbalanced by the rights of the copyright holder. A protected work that is shared with a neighbor might be considered fair use in some jurisdictions, but lines can be somewhat vague and varied as to exactly where protections end and software piracy begins. Generally speaking, anything that extends beyond personal use is commonly forbidden by the EULA and can bring legal questions into play.

Hard-disk loading: Another form of software piracy is selling a computer system with illegal software already installed. Generally, the buyer does not receive manuals, license agreements, or even the CDs or diskettes containing the original program.

Internet sharing: Software that is neither freeware nor shareware cannot be legally disseminated online. However, many software programs are readily available over P2P (peer to peer) networks, via binary newsgroups or in chat rooms. This type of software piracy is referred to as warez and has commonly been cracked to make it usable by anyone without restrictive copyright securities in place.

Renting software: While libraries and educational institutions can purchase special licenses to rent some types of software, renting software in general is illegal and a form of software piracy.

Unrestricted client access: Installing software on a server without a network license and allowing clients to access that software is considered software piracy.

OEM/Unbundling: Selling OEM (original equipment manufacturer) software separate from the hardware it comes bundled with is another form of software piracy.

Using personal software for commercial purposes: Many software programs are free for personal use, but require a license for commercial use.

Using shareware beyond the trial period without paying for it: According to most shareware EULAs, a user must either pay for shareware or uninstall it after the trial period to avoid software piracy.

Tampering with the copyright of any software, including freeware: Even freeware can be the subject of software piracy, when the copyright is illegally changed or the program is illegally modified then redistributed. The redistributed product does not require an original price tag to qualify as pirated software.

Arguably, the most controversial form of software piracy relates to what many people consider simple 'personal use' -- buying a software program, then

Answered by Sharad Singh , an ibibo Master, at 6:47 PM on September 20, 2008

Software piracy is the unauthorized duplication of computer software. Although most computer users today are aware that unauthorized use and duplication of software is illegal, many show a general disregard for the importance of treating software as valuable intellectual property.

According to the BSA (Business Software Alliance) and IDC 5th Annual Global Software Piracy Study, revenue losses due to software piracy have increased and were nearly $48 billion in the year 2007.


Types of Software Piracy

* Softlifting: purchasing a single licensed copy of software and loading it onto several computers contrary to the license terms. For example, sharing software with friends, co-workers and others.
* Uploading and downloading: making unauthorized copies of copyrighted software available to end users connected by modem to online service providers and/or the Internet.
* Software counterfeiting: illegally duplicating and selling copyrighted software in a form designed to make it appear legitimate
* OEM unbundling: selling standalone software that was intended to be bundled with specific accompanying hardware
* Hard disk loading: installing unauthorized copies of software onto the hard disks of personal computers, often as an incentive for the end user to buy the hardware from that particular hardware dealer
* Renting: unauthorized selling of software for temporary use, like you would a video

Answered by Nagendra , an ibibo Master, at 6:05 PM on September 20, 2008

The copyright infringement of software refers to several practices when done without the permission of the copyright holder:

* Creating a copy and/or selling it. This is the act that some people refer to as "software piracy". This is copyright infringement in most countries and is unlikely to be fair use or fair dealing if the work remains commercially available. In some countries the laws may allow the selling of a version modified for use by blind people, students (for non-educational product) or similar. Differences in legislation may also make the copyright void in some jurisdictions, but not the others.
* Creating a copy and giving it to someone else. This constitutes copyright infringement in most jurisdictions. It is not infringing under specific circumstances such as fair use and fair dealing.
* Creating a copy to serve as a backup. This is seen as a fundamental right of the software-buyer in some countries, e.g., Germany, Spain, Brazil and Philippines. It can be infringement, depending on the laws and the case law interpretations of those laws, currently undergoing changes in many countries. In the US, legal action was taken against companies which made backup copies while repairing computers (see MAI Systems Corp. v. Peak Computer, Inc. (1993)) and as a result, US law was changed so that making temporary backup copies of software while repairing computers is not copyright infringement.
* Renting the original software. Software licenses often try to restrict the usual right of a purchaser of a copyrighted work to let others borrow the work. In some jurisdictions the validity of such restrictions are disputed, but some require permission from the copyright holder to allow renting the software.
* Reselling the original software. Licenses often say that the buyer does not buy the software but instead pays for the right to use the software. In the US, the first-sale doctrine, Softman v. Adobe [1] and Novell, Inc. v. CPU Distrib., Inc. ruled that software sales are purchases, not licenses, and resale, including unbundling, is lawful regardless of a contractual prohibition. The reasoning in Softman v. Adobe suggests that resale of student licensed versions, provided they are accurately described as such, is also not infringing.
* Bulletin Board Sharing/Internet Piracy- Albacea et al (2005) states that this infringement occurs when System Operators share (by electronic transfer) copyrighted materials on bulletin boards or the internet for users to download.

Copyright infringement of software is extremely common in the United States, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Russia, Brazil, Zimbabwe and several other parts of the world. Most countries have copyright laws which apply to software, but they are better enforced in some countries than others. Since a dispute over WTO membership between Iran and USA, has led to the legalization in Iran of the distribution of software without the permission of any copyright holder. (See Iran and copyright issues), there have been fears that world governments might try to use copyright laws and enforcement politically.

The rate of copyright infringement of software in the Asia-Pacific region has been estimated at 53% for 2004, and over 90% in regions such as Vietnam.[1]

Answered by Nishu's , an ibibo Master, at 5:43 PM on September 20, 2008

well,The unauthorized copying of software. Most retail programs are licensed for use at just one computer site or for use by only one user at any time. By buying the software, you become a licensed user rather than an owner (see EULA). You are allowed to make copies of the program for backup purposes, but it is against the law to give copies to friends and colleagues.

Software piracy is all but impossible to stop, although software companies are launching more and more lawsuits against major infractors. Originally, software companies tried to stop software piracy by copy-protecting their software. This strategy failed, however, because it was inconvenient for users and was not 100 percent foolproof. Most software now requires some sort of registration, which may discourage would-be pirates, but doesn't really stop software piracy.

Some common types of software piracy include counterfeit software, OEM unbundling, softlifting, hard disk loading, corporate software piracy, and Internet software piracy.

An entirely different approach to software piracy, called shareware, acknowledges the futility of trying to stop people from copying software and instead relies on people's honesty. Shareware publishers encourage users to give copies of programs to friends and colleagues but ask everyone who uses a program regularly to pay a registration fee to the program's author directly.

Commercial programs that are made available to the public illegally are often called warez.
source:www.webopedia.com/TER M/S/software_piracy.html

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 5:18 PM on September 20, 2008

Hi Kailash

Software Piracy is the illegal duplication of software for commercial or personal use. Software piracy is a worldwide problem--more than $11 billion is lost to piracy every year.

Thanks n regards

Suparn@

Answered by Suparna , an ibibo Master, at 4:49 PM on September 20, 2008