2. Where it happens

To many people the issue of software piracy is a matter of 'innocently' sharing software among friends and is considered to be quite harmless.

Although it may seem like a great idea to be able to get hold of your favourite game, or that 'must have' new computer program for free, it is not a case of, 'it isn't harming anyone'.  It is!

In fact, there is nothing "innocent" or acceptable about it. It is against the law.

Deliberate counterfeiting is a serious problem.  Ten years ago, most copying was done on a small scale, usually amongst friends or work colleagues.  Now, it accounts for nearly 40% of all software in existence.

Software piracy in the workplace has also become far more common.  Piracy can be as simple as two employees installing the same program on their computers when the license agreement permits only one. It can be as widespread as the deliberate, systematic copying of programs throughout an organization. 

The Internet has also made it much easier to steal, market and distribute copyrighted material. 

Pirated software on the Internet is often transmitted via bulletin boards, e-mail, news groups, site links and, most notably, Internet auction sites, which defraud bidders by claiming that illegal software is a genuine product obtained at a deep discount.