As with videotapes and audio CD’s, computer software is the property of the people who created it. When you purchase software you are not only buying the software itself but also the rights to use it. Using software without the rights given by the manufacturer or publisher is illegal no matter how you came across the software. Normally the permission to use the software is included as a license that accompanies the software package.

In a sense you don’t actually buy software, you purchase the rights or license to use that particular copy. The license may include permission to use and or distribute or reproduce the software. The terms of use are laid out in the licensing agreement. When you install a program or application you are usually prompted to read and then accept the terms within before proceeding with the installation.

In most cases a licensed software package can only be installed on one computer at any one time. Quite often though there are provisions in the license to create a copy of

the software for backup purposes. A backup might be needed in case the original CD or disk is damaged making it impossible to reinstall the programs.

Obtaining illegal copies of software applications might seem like a good money saving exercise on the surface; however these pirated copies rarely come with user manuals and other documentation, notification of problems, training aids, support services, repairs or upgrades. Illegal copies are almost always of inferior quality and are prone to “crashing” or causing other problems on your system. If you use your pirated software on the Internet you run the risk of detection and you would not be able to register it. Illegal copies often harbor viruses, which could wreak havoc on your computer and spread throughout your network. Imagine the embarrassment of these viruses spreading to your customer’s computers and what that would say about your business. All in all using pirated software could end up costing you far more than the retail price of the same. It’s not worth the risk, especially in a business environment.

The existence of illegal software deprives t

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