1. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
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2. Problems in dealing with copyright
Software is easy to copy.
It is easy to transfer files from one country to another over the Internet.
Many people do not see copying software as theft.
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3. Software piracy Software piracy - illegal copying of software or data.
27% of all software used in UK is pirated.
Pirated software is sold at car boot sales, computer fairs and on e-Bay.
Pirated software deprives the owners of software of billions of pounds in revenue.
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4. Problems with illegally copied software
It may contain viruses.
No technical support is available.
It does not qualify for upgrades.
It may not be complete.
Above all you are committing a crime.
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5. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Makes it a criminal offence to:
copy or distribute software or manuals without permission or licence from the copyright owner
run more versions of software than the software licence allows
force employees to make or distribute software
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6. The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST)
An organisation set up by all the main software manufacturers.
It educates the public about piracy.
It raises awareness of the problems with software piracy.
It allows people to blow the whistle on offenders.
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7. The consequences of being found with illegal software
Police can enter your premises or home and confiscate all your computer equipment as evidence.
You can be taken to court and prosecuted with the possibility of a prison sentence.
You can be sued by the software manufacturer who can claim damages from you for loss of revenue.
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