3.+Copyright+and+Software

= · Why do software authors need to be protected by copyright? =

Software authors need to be protected by copyright as their works may be subjected to being copied illegally. Software works in particular are more vulnerable to being copied as it can be done more effectively and with more ease digitally. Software authors benefit from their intellectual property when their work is distributed or sold, and they profit from the revenue of purchasing their software programs, and they are entitled to the same acknowledgment whenever their ideas are used. Software authors needed to be credited for their works, the same way composers of music and film are. Copyright helps to protect them from software piracy. Software authors are encouraged to copyright their works so that they control who has access to their works, and may charge a fee to consumers to use their work (Copyright Advisory Group, MCEETYA).

= · How does software piracy become a cost to the Australian computer industry each year? =

Software piracy becomes a cost to the Australian computer industry because when software is pirated; consumers, software developers, and resellers are affected. Every year billions of dollars of revenue is lost as a result of software piracy. In 2007, according to a global study conducted on behalf of the Business Software Alliance (BSA), the total losses sustained by the software industry as a direct result of software piracy were in excess of 40 billion dollars worldwide (Symantec Corporation, 1995). When software is pirated, software developers lose revenue from the sale of their products, which hinders development of new software and stifles the growth of the software company. Rather than the proceeds of legal purchases going where they should, free or pirated downloads cause a loss of revenue and developers and software authors will lose business (Targetseo - Top SEO India, 2008).

= · What is the result of software piracy? =

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When software is sold most developers invest a portion of the revenue into future development and better software packages. Developers lose revenue from pirated software of current products as well as from future programs. Software piracy increases the risk consumer’s computers will be corrupted by defective software and infected with viruses. Those who provide defective and illegal software do not tend to provide sales and technical support. In addition, consumers are unable to take advantage of technical support and product upgrades, which are typically available to legitimate registered users of the software. Pirated software usually has inadequate documentation, which prevents consumers from enjoying the full benefits of the software package. (Targetseo - Top SEO India, 2008).======