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can be extended to three years. This would now be one of the greatest deterrents against
piracy.
It is ironic but true, that software piracy is an issue that makes a lot of people
uncomfortable. It makes them uncomfortable because they realize that in discussing it,
they will have to confront the specter of their own criminality. And therein lies
the real problem and fortunately its solution as well.
With each passing year, evolving software technology brings us faster, more
sophisticated, versatile and easy to use products. Business software allows companies
to save time, effort and money.
Education computer programs teach basic skills and sophisticated subjects. Computer
graphics have turned the PC into a versatile artist’s palette, and new games are
being constantly created. The industry is thriving and users stand to benefit alongside
the software publishers.
The growth of the software industry however has been matched by an increase
in software theft which is threatening to impede the development of new
software products.
Romantically called “piracy”, the unauthorized duplication of software is an offence
the affects everyone: large and small software publishers and legitimate users.
Even the illegal users of copies suffer from their own actions. They receive
no documentation, no customer support and certainly no information about
product updates.
Today, software piracy has become a critical problem in the computer industry.
According to Mr. Ken Wasch, Executive Director, Software Publishers Association
(
SPA), United States, it is estimated that last year, the worldwide revenue loss to
the computer industry due to illegal software copying was to the tune of $7.4 billion.
These could have been vital funds required to keep the software industry healthy,
wealthy and innovative.
But is the awareness against piracy a new phenomenon? And is something being
done about it? Ken Wasch is known internationally for his crusade against software
piracy. He believes the issue of software piracy has steadily increased in importance
in recent years due, in part, to the SPA’s anti-piracy activities.
When SPA first began taking action against software pirates in 1988, the
primary focus of the activities was on enforcing the members’ copyrights
