What is software piracy?

Copying software

This is a really common type of piracy. It's when people make copies of software when they aren't allowed to (their licence doesn't let them). Often they don't realise that copying a program and giving it to their friends and family is software piracy.

An example would be making a few copies of Microsoft Office 2007 or an Xbox® game and giving them to friends - or even selling them on ebay. Selling illegal copies online takes business away from computer shops that are trading and making their living honestly.

Counterfeiting (fakes)

Counterfeiting is making and selling fake software which is passed off as genuine. It's usually carried out on a large scale. Some fakes are very sophisticated, so it's really hard to tell them from the real thing. (Read our handy guide on how to tell here.)

And if you're buying online it can be even harder to know exactly what you're going to get at the end of the day. The main problem with fake software is that it's risky: it could be unreliable, contain viruses or malware, or leave you vulnerable to identity theft. Or all three. You simply don't know what you're loading onto your PC or laptop.

Sometimes counterfeiters are criminal gangs who make money through fakes as well as (say) drug dealing – they see it as less risky, mostly because it's a commonly-held view that counterfeiting is a "victimless crime". But when unsuspecting customers are left out of pocket, we don't see it that way, so we work hard to stamp out fakes. Find out more about action we take against illegal traders and counterfeiters.

If you're buying from a computer shop and want to be sure that you get the genuine article, ask whether they got their software from one of our authorised distributors.

Hard disk loading

Hard disk loading is when computer shops sell PCs with unlicensed software pre-installed. They use one copy of a software program but install it illegally on lots of machines. The original disks and the documents that you should be given are often missing or fake. Each PC or laptop you buy with Microsoft Windows installed should be delivered to you with an original, Windows-branded CD. Don't forget if you aren't properly licensed you don't get support, warranties or certain updates.

We often hear from customers who are convinced their copy of Windows Vista or Office is totally genuine, but after they had repairs done to their machine, have been told it's not. This is because when the computer shop carried out the repairs they re-installed the program illegally.

If you find you have an illegal copy - whether you've just bought it, or after you've had your computer repaired - you should go back to the computer shop and insist they give you genuine software.

Watch a video from ITV Meridian about a hard disk loader who was taken to court for ripping off his customers.(Link to ITV Meridian site.)

Online piracy

People that sell fake or illegal software trade online just like they do on the high street. You could argue that it's actually easier for them to seem like a "proper" business on the internet than on a street corner or at a car boot sale. Of course, there are plenty of online sites that provide a very good service to their customers. And they're often great value because they don't have the cost of running a bricks and mortar operation. But how do you tell the difference between a good deal and a too-good-to-be-true deal? You want to make sure that you buy from someone who's going to sell you the real thing and not disappear with your money in a puff of smoke.

We have put together a guide to buying online to help you, plus we post a monthly round-up of the latest dodgy tactics and scams that we come across online. In general, use your common sense – if a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Use price comparison sites, and be wary of anyone that won't give you their full contact details or tell you what their policy is on support or returns.

Peer to peer (P2P) and file sharing

As well as buying boxed software from online and high street shops, you can also go onto file sharing sites and torrents to download programs. None of the Microsoft software found on these sites is genuine – it's all pirated. If you install it your copy will be illegal, so you won't get the support, warranties and updates you get with the real thing. What you may end up with instead is unwanted "nasties" such as viruses and malware - leaving your PC and your personal information vulnerable to attack. Did you know that a recent IDC white paper found that, "59% of key generators and crack tools downloaded from peer-to-peer networks contained either malicious or potentially unwanted software."

If you want Microsoft Windows, Office or Expression® software, you can buy directly from us through Microsoft Store.