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Internet Copyright and Piracy
Background
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The software industry loses billions of
dollars a year through unauthorized
copying of software for both personal and
organizational use. The economic effects
are felt all along the software distribution
chain – from creators to retailers. Students
should realize that they are legally bound
by copyright laws.
What is Copyright?
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A copyright is a legal protection granted to
a person for his or her creative work.
Copyrights guarantee to authors and
artists the right to say how and under what
circumstances their work can be
distributed and reproduced. Works such
as books, songs, software, and films can
be copyrighted.
Why is software copyright
protection important?
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Copyright protection allows creators of software
to achieve recognition and to reap the benefits
to which they are entitled for their hard work.
Copyright protection encourages people to
produce new works and to share those works
with other. Without copyright protection, the
world of information and entertainment as we
know it today would not exist.
What are the ethical uses of
software?
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Ethical uses of software include:
recognizing that software ownership is
limited to the use of software under certain
clearly defined conditions; abiding by
licensing agreements prohibiting
unauthorized use; refusing to help others
copy software or otherwise violate the
copyright law.
Software Use: The Facts
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When you buy software, you buy the right to use it yourself – and, in
most cases, to make one copy for your files. Making any other
copies is usually illegal.
If you do copy software, other than a backup copy for yourself, you
are subject to penalties under criminal and civil law.
When you install software, you are legally bound by the licensing
agreement which spells out what you can and cannot do with the
software.
Stealing software is no different, legally or morally, from shoplifting
or burglary.
People who copy software aren’t stealing from nameless, faceless
corporations. They are stealing from creative, hard-working people.
Software: The Law
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Every time you pop a rental video into the VCR, you see an FBI
warning on the screen. That’s when you probably push the fastforward button so you can watch your movie. If you stopped to read
the warning, it would tell you that it’s illegal to copy the video, or to
show it to make a profit.
Computer software is legally protected, too. You may find the
licensing agreement inside the box when you open it. Or, a licensing
agreement may appear on the screen when you load your new
software. Most people never read it. They just push the “I accept” or
“I agree” button in order to finish loading the software. As soon as
you click on “I accept,” or “I agree,” you are signing a licensing
agreement. Licensing agreements differ, so read each one carefully.
Copyright Laws
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Copyright laws in the U.S. and Canada protect a
person’s right to control the reproduction and distribution
of his or her creative works.
It is illegal to duplicate software, to make multiple copies
for personal use or for use within an organization, or to
give an unauthorized copy to another individual, without
permission of the copyright holder.
You are liable under the copyright law if you know
someone else is going to make unauthorized copies and
you offer to help.
Remember: You don’t have to be the person making
copies to be liable under the copyright law.
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U.S. copyright laws are based on Article 1,
Section 8 of the Constitution: “The
Congress shall have Power…To promote
the Progress of Science and useful Arts,
by securing for limited Times to Authors
and Inventor the exclusive Right to their
respective Writings and Discoveries.”
The Penalties
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Violators of software copyright laws in the
U.S. and Canada may be liable under both
criminal and civil law. That means you can
be fined and sentenced to jail. You can
also be sued by the company or people
that have created the software.
Keep in Mind
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Software manufacturers are cracking down on
software piracy. To avoid legal problems,
companies are checking all of their computers
for illegal software. Your school is probably
checking licenses for all its installed software
and on materials brought into school from home.
The best protection? Obey the law. Respect
computer software licensing agreements.
Remind your family and friends that copying
software is illegal.
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THE END