| The following definitions
will help you to recognize the different types of software
piracy - ensuring you only sell legal software to your
customers. |
| |
Counterfeiting |
| Counterfeiting is the illegal
manufacture, duplication, and distribution of software
programs in a way that often makes them look genuine.
The quality of counterfeit reproduction is often so high
that it is virtually impossible for customers to tell
the difference between genuine and counterfeit versions.
This duplicate software is often marketed by counterfeiters
as "gray" or "unbundled." |
|
| Hard Disk Loading
|
In this practice, a PC
manufacturer and/seller will illegally pre-load an unlicensed
copy of the software onto the computer prior to sale.
In this case, the PC manufacturer and or seller makes
a deliberate decision to load illegal software onto
the computers they sell, usually as an incentive for
the end user to purchase from them. In most cases, the
PC manufacturer will not supply any media, license agreement,
manual or other documentation with the computer system
they distribute to their customer. |
| |
| Internet Piracy |
| Internet piracy refers to
the use of the Internet for illegally copying, downloading,
uploading or distributing unauthorized software. In these
cases, the Internet is the medium for advertising, offering,
acquiring, selling or distributing pirated software via
online auctions, bulletin boards and websites. |
| |
| End User Copying |
| Copying software without
the correct licence is often referred to as 'end-user
copying'. This type of piracy includes: |
| • |
Informal sharing
of a disk containing a software program among friends
and colleagues |
| • |
The installation
of software by an organization(or an individual)
onto computers using pirated/unlicensed copies of
the software programs. |
| • |
The installation
of software by an organization (or individual) on
more computers than its licence allows - i.e. under-licensing |
|
| |
| All three of these activities
are illegal and put users at risk because the licence
to use the software does not permit any of the above activity. |
| |
| Mischanelling |
| Mischannelling is the term
given to software that has been supplied incorrectly.
It usually refers to software that has been distributed
under special discount licences - for example to high-volume
customers, computer manufacturers, or academic organisations
- and then redistributed to others who do not qualify
for these licences. For example, the sale of academic
licence to a small business. |
