Question

From studying this text you can see how much work goes into developing a full-blown professional program. How would you feel if someone copied your work without compensating you? Investigate the magnitude of software piracy in our society. What are the penalties for illegally copying software? Are there circumstances in which it is acceptable to copy a copyrighted commercial program? If a friend asked you to copy a program for him/her would you? What should be done about this problem, if anything? Be thorough and detailed with your answers. Write at least two FULL PARAGRAPHS and be sure to CITE your sources (using MLA or APA format). You must use at least two scholarly sources and you must cite those sources.

 

Answer 1

Answer:-----------

Different sources report different dollar amounts, but software piracy seems to account for at least $13 billion in software revenue lost worldwide per year.According to the U.S. Copyright Act, illegal reproduction of software is subject to civil damages of as much as $100,000 per title infringed plus criminal penalties, including fines of as much as $250,000 per title infringed and imprisonment of up to five years.

Companies devote a large portion of their earnings to the creation of new software products. The programmers, writers, and all those involved in the creation of these new products deserve fair compensation. Companies will not continue to develop newproducts unless they can make a profit. Just as every customer pays a little for a store’s losses to shoplifters, every purchaser of legal software pays a little for illegal copies.