3.+Copyright+and+Software


 * Copyright and Software **

**Why Software Authors Need To Be Protected By Copyright?**

Software designers/developers need to have their work protected by copyright so that no one will copy and illegally distribute the work before the release date or after to make profit without the permission of the software designer. Software designers/developers work hard on their programs and if those programs are stolen or pirated then the designers/developers lose money and don’t make a profit from their work. This can result in the designers/developers not being able to improve on their programs and when they lose money then they do not get the funding they need to continue making and bettering their programs. Stolen and pirated copies of software are often faulty and cause damage to the computer system. Software piracy impacts greatly on the economy on a national and global scale

**How Does Software Piracy Become A Cost To The Australian Computer Industry Each Year?** Software piracy costs the Australian Computer Industry up to hundreds, thousands, millions and billions of dollars each year. Recently the figures for the piracy rate in Australia has decreased by only a small percent. A study done recently by the Business Software Association of Australia suggests that 40% of all software globally is pirated and that illegal copies of software costs the Australian Computer Industry around $200 million a year (Doidge)


 * What Is The Result Of Software Piracy?**

Stolen and pirated copies of software are often faulty. They can contain viruses and can be corrupted. This results in damage being done to the computer system. When the hard drive of the computer is malfunctioned in some way then it costs the consumers to have to pay to get it fixed or replaced. Others consequences of pirated software are that information from the computer could be stolen through viruses and this can lead to identity theft, loss of information and problems with hacking. The consequences for people found owning or distributing illegal copies of software are that they can be fined with up to $300 000 or they could spend up to 15 years in jail