Home >> What is Software Piracy?

What is Software Piracy?


Software piracy is the unauthorized copying of software. Most commercial software is offered under licence for use as stipulated by the publisher. The EULA (end user licence agreement) states how the software may be used and any restrictions imposed by the publisher. Typically, the agreement allows copies to be made for backup purposes, but specifically prohibits copying for use by others. A major concern in North America and Europe, software piracy is uncontrolled in many developing nations.

Articles Tagged - What is Software Piracy?

 1
Software piracy costs businesses $114B: IDC
Monday, March 11, 2013
Software piracy costs businesses $114B: IDC
Only 15 per cent of employee-installed software in the workplace is problem-free, according to study commissioned by Microsoft
Lobby wants Canada kept on U.S. piracy watch list
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Lobby wants Canada kept on U.S. piracy watch list
The International Intellectual Property Alliance is also seeking changes to Canada’s Copyright Modernization Act
Piracy impedes growth of Philippine software firms
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Piracy impedes growth of Philippine software firms
Industry figures estimate the rate of PC software piracy in the Philippines last year was down slightly compared to 2006. However, industry loses to piracy rose substantially.
Use of illegal software in HK dropped by 2 per cent
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Use of illegal software in HK dropped by 2 per cent
An international report shows the city is making progress in checking software piracy. By contrast, in the Asia Pacific region software piracy went up
China’s software piracy rate drops, Canada's increases slightly
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
China’s software piracy rate drops, Canada's increases slightly
While global losses caused by software piracy increased by 15 per cent, in China the overall piracy rate has dropped significantly, according to a recent survey
Toronto firm fined for unlicensed software use
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Toronto firm fined for unlicensed software use
A Toronto firm has agreed to fork out $73,300 after an audit revealed the company was using unlicensed software, according to anti-piracy watchdog Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST).
RIM chief calls for patent reform
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
RIM chief calls for patent reform
The U.S. government is moving in the right direction with its efforts to reform its patent process by making it tougher for companies claiming infringement to get court injunctions, said a top executive at Research In Motion (RIM) Ltd., which settled its own patent fight in March.
Piracy worries plague Sino-US ties
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Piracy worries plague Sino-US ties
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will meet with senior Chinese government officials Tuesday as part of a two-day visit to Beijing focussed largely on protecting intellectual property (IP) rights in China and preparations for upcoming trade talks between the two countries, the U.S. embassy said.
Report looks at Philippines software piracy
Monday, March 14, 2005
Report looks at Philippines software piracy
Strict monitoring by corporate users of compliance with, rather than government’s enforcement of intellectual property laws, could be a better method of curbing software piracy in The Philippines, according to a report by local private sector-led group IP Coalition.
Piracy threatens budding Filipino software company
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Piracy threatens budding Filipino software company
Anino Entertainment is a small, Filipino software development company engaged in developing games for personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and mobile phones. The 10-man team comprising Anino has toiled for more than two years to produce its first PC game offering, Anito, the first and only all-Filipino PC game to date. Exactly a year after its launching, Anito’s developers came face to face with a formidable foe that is not only threatening the survival of their company, but, worse, is also dampening their zeal and idealism — software piracy.
Canadians flying the Jolly Roger
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Canadians flying the Jolly Roger
Canada lags U.S. in software piracy fight
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Canada lags U.S. in software piracy fight
According to a report released by two software piracy interest groups on Wednesday, of the $107 billion in software that was installed on computers worldwide in 2003, only $68 billion was paid for.
U of T students in Guatemala
Thursday, February 05, 2004
U of T students in Guatemala
Here in Canada we take technology for granted. Our personal data is relatively secure, Internet access is unfettered and no one comes pounding at our door demanding to see our software licenses. In much of the rest of the world this is often not the case.
Licensing evolution needed: execs
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Licensing evolution needed: execs
Software licensing practices must change to accommodate economic and technology trends, officials stressed at the recent SoftSummit conference in San Jose.
Piracy threatens economy: report
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Piracy threatens economy: report
Although software piracy rates have remained relatively stable, there is no room for complacency, according to a recent study released by the Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST).
International software piracy rings cracked
Thursday, December 13, 2001
International software piracy rings cracked
A two-year U.S. investigation into international software piracy over the Internet culminated yesterday in the serving of more than 100 search warrants against suspects allegedly involved in piracy syndicates.
Canada tries to CAAST away piracy
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Canada tries to CAAST away piracy
To pirate, or not to pirate, there lies the question. A recent study conducted by the Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST) and the Business Software Alliance, indicates that the issue continues to plague the software industry.
Office XP cracks down on casual copying
Thursday, April 26, 2001
Office XP cracks down on casual copying
Microsoft Corp. has enlisted some technical firepower to combat customers who fail to make good on software license agreements, which limit users from sharing copies of a program.
Piracy crackdown in Asia helps Microsoft in the bank
Monday, April 23, 2001
Piracy crackdown in Asia helps Microsoft in the bank
Efforts to curb software piracy in Asia are beginning to pay off, according to software industry associations battling the problem. For software vendors like Microsoft Corp., that pay off comes in the form of revenue.
Off-line
Thursday, July 01, 1999
Off-line
Germans Jail Texan Pirate
 1