Computer Software Piracy and It's Impact on the International Economy

Computer Software Piracy and it's Impact on the International Economy


The PC industry is over twenty years old. In those twenty years,
evolving software technology brings us faster, more sophisticated, versatile and
easy-to-use products. Business software allows companies to save time, effort
and money. Educational computer programs teach basic skills and complicated
subjects. Home software now includes a wide variety of programs that enhance the
users productivity and creativity. The industry is thriving and users stand to
benefit along with the publishers. The SPA (Software Publishers Association)
reports that the problem of software theft has grown, and threatens to prevent
the development of new software products. Unauthorized duplication of software
is known as software piracy which is a "Federal offense that affects everyone"
("Software Use..." Internet).   The following research examines software piracy
in its various forms, its impact on the end user and the international industry
as a whole, and the progress that has been made in alleviating the problem.
Software piracy harms all software companies and ultimately, the end
user. Piracy results in higher prices for honest users, reduced levels of
support and delays in funding and development of new products, causing the
overall breadth and quality of software to suffer" ("What is..." Internet). Even
the users of unlawful copies suffer from their own illegal actions: they receive
no documentation, no customer support and no information about product updates
("Software Use..." Internet).
The White Paper says that while virtually every software publisher
expresses concern about their software from unauthorized duplication, over time,
many have simply accepted the so-called "fact" that such duplication is
unavoidable. This has created an atmosphere in which software piracy is commonly
accepted as "just another cost of doing business" ("With the Growth..."
Internet).
In a brochure published by the SPA it... [continues]

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