Handbook of Information Security: Information Warfare, Social, Legal, and International Issues and Security Foundations, Volume 2

Software Piracy

Robert K. Moniot, Fordham University

Introduction

Modes of Software Piracy

End-User Piracy

Commercial Piracy

Motivations for Software Piracy

Implications of the Studies

Organizations that Combat Software Piracy

Scope and Impact of Piracy

Estimated Piracy Rates

Methodology of the Study

Financial Impact of Piracy

Mechanisms for Protection of Software

Legal Protection Mechanisms

Enforcement Efforts

Technical Protection Mechanisms

Conclusion

Glossary

Cross References

References

INTRODUCTION

Paper tape, floppy disk, CD-ROM, and now the Internet: whatever the medium in which software has been provided as technology has progressed, pirates have found ways to copy it illicitly. The software industry regards piracy as a major problem. In recent years, an estimated 35% of all copies of packaged PC software applications installed worldwide were pirated, having a retail value of some US $30 billion annually. If all software categories were included, this total would be even larger. Illicit copying of software has existed for a long time, and the new modes of copying enabled by the Internet have made it much harder for the software industry to combat it.

MODES OF SOFTWARE PIRACY

Software piracy is any copying of software in contravention of its license. One of the biggest obstacles to reducing piracy is the widespread ignorance of what actions constitute piracy. Here are some ways that piracy can occur:

• downloading proprietary software from an unauthorized Internet bulletin ...