Why am I writing this?
Over 25% of the software in use in the united States is illegally copied. In one year piracy cost the U.S. economy $4.6 billion dollars in lost wages, nearly $1 billion in taxes and more than 109,000 lost jobs. People don’t take it serious. They give a copy of a software program or file to a friend or relative. They put it on their machine. Then another person “needs” a copy and they give it to them etc. Some people even try to sell these illegal copies. You can go to jail for that.
What’s wrong with that?
You just helped somebody get a free copy of software. Your trying to be a nice person. Well! It’s like this! The software manufacturers have teamed up with the Government to create laws to prevent this very thing. It is an attempt to control the distribution of the software so that the company that made it can get paid for the copies it puts out.
What if you don’t want to do it this way?
This is no time to be bullheaded. The way it is now you can go to jail or at least get fined for illegally selling or distributing software or certain files. Legal action is almost guaranteed if you do get caught. If you go to a software sale be aware of illegal copies. If it looks illegal it probably is. If you download from the internet be sure the company is legal. Get their address and phone number. If they won’t give it to you or you can’t find one they are definitely not legal. Keep records. If you do buy something always keep a record of it just in case. Watch for bargain prices that look to low. This is the big one. It may be the best way to know it is probably not legal. Most software is not sold at extremely low prices due to the demand. Watch for packaging that looks fake or weird in any way. Be sure the software case is shrink wrapped and not tampered with. If you buy a computer with an operating system already installed be sure it has the Official License tag with the activation code somewhere on the case. If they don’t have it ask were it is. If you think it is illegal turn them into authorities. They are just hurting everybody that is in the industry.
Another risk
The software “copy” may contain a virus or malicious code that could damage your system. Also, files can become corrupt through being copied over and over so many times.
How do I protect myself?
Never take a free copy of software from anybody. You normally have to purchase the product. Actually by paying for it you buy a license to use it. If somebody asks you for a copy give them the web site or store they can buy it from. Besides, if you pay a lot of money for a legally licensed product you certainly don’t want them to have it free.
I am giving you a link if you want to dig deeper on this subject. Microsoft has a lot of resources available. see: www.microsoft.com/piracy