Software PiracySoftware piracy is the copying and selling of copyrighted software. There are many types of software that can be pirated, including operating systems, application programs, as well as Internet downloads including music, software or movies. Many people do this knowing they are participating in something illegal; however, some people have no idea that they are breaking the law. In some cases, a person may have inadvertently purchased pirated software. The consequences of possessing or distributing pirated software can be serious in some cases. Software piracy is a common practice that can be easily avoided. In the eyes of the law, software piracy is an offense equal to downloading music, movies, books, magazines or other copyrighted material. It's as simple as downloading a program from the Internet or using a friend's copy of Microsoft Office. Software piracy can also be as complex as a computer store reselling software with a fake or counterfeit product key or registration code. To avoid this, look for software that seems cheaper than it should be or software that comes with a key generator. If someone suspects software piracy, they can contact the Software & Information Industry Association, through its website http://www.siia.net/piracy. On its website, rewards of up to $50,000 can be found for anyone who reports a company using pirated software. People participate in software piracy because it's an easy way to get out of purchasing software. Some software can cost over a thousand dollars, while others only cost twenty or thirty dollars. Software piracy began in the 1960s. Over time, it has grown to account for 25-50% of software... middle of paper ... because it is illegal. Besides being illegal, it also impacts the economy and the production of new software. Although these free software sources can be of great help in academic, scientific and creative environments, they are not the basis on which our current economy is structured. The entire economy of a number of sectors such as music or cinema would have to be restructured, which would cause many upheavals. Authorities and software publishers are increasingly aware of this. Software companies now include components in the software to track the software. If it is not registered correctly, spyware will be installed or the program will not work fully. As the number of software piracy cases increases, the fight against this crime is also intensifying and more and more agencies are being created in order to reduce this growing problem..