Software CopyrightWhen it comes to software copyright, unfortunately there are many in the public who not only make, but also use unauthorized software for their personal benefit. Most people are aware that it is illegal to do this and with its ease of obtaining software from the Internet these users of the software can range from the computer user that downloads from an authorized website with the agreement it is only to be used for a certain amount of time and then paid for the use of the program. Then there is the other kind of computer user that purposely uses their computer knowledge to steal computer software programs. There have been several court cases over the theft of software programs by large corporations, so this taking of someone else's work is not limited to the home computer user who uses a program without paying for the program. In these court cases they are often long drawn out court battles with each side claiming that they are the proper owners of the software program. Copyright laws are there for the protection of authors and publishers of software. It works in the same manner as the patent does for inventors and the same as a copyright on a written or musical item. This copyright is to protect from use or even partial use of a software creation and gives the copyright holder special advantages when someone does infringe on their copyrighted software. Advantages such as the right to take anyone to court that should illegally use, copy or pirate the copyrighted software. With the aid of an attorney software creators with a copyright have been known to win in court against the illegal use of their software. More than likely the people that make or use software illegally, probably do not even stop and consider that they are not only hurting and stealing from the authors and publishers, but they are harming the academic community as well. Imagine the harm that it could possibly cause to a campus where the unauthorized copying of software infiltrated the campus. It could very well cause the campus a large amount in legal liabilities as it maybe with the use of the computers owned by this school that are used to prate this software and should the copyright holder decide to hold them responsible this could cost not only legal fees of an attorney but it could also cost them any penalties that the court imposes. When a creator of a software program has completed their product it is a wise decision to copyright this material as one of the most often infringed product is software as it is often found on the Internet and with the programs available today it can often be copied from one disc to another without much difficulty. | |
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