7. Legislation

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988) covers the issue of software piracy.

This Act is straightforward and simple to understand.  It essentially covers three main things:

1. It is illegal to copy software without the permission of the rightful owner. Even if you have a licence for the software, you are not the 'rightful owner', you just have permission to use your copy.

2. It is illegal to actually run copied (pirated) software.

3. It is illegal to transmit copied software over a telecommunications line.

You do not have to have a disk or CD to pirate software. Copying through the internet or telephone line is also illegal, as is going to the cinema and recording the latest film on video.