End-User Piracy
End-User piracy occurs when a company or individual “overuses” software without first acquiring the proper licenses. It can take any of the following forms:
- Using one licensed copy to install a software program on multiple computers;
- Making copies of a single licensed media for multiple installations and distribution;
- Using an “upgrade” license without a licensed copy of the previous release in the upgrade chain; and
- Using academic or other restricted non-commercial software for a commercial use.
Server-Client Overuse
Some software may be installed on a central server for use by multiple employees. Where the software is centrally located and the license authorizes a fixed number of concurrent users, disabling the mechanism that enforces the concurrent use policy is software piracy.
Software Counterfeiting
Software counterfeiting is the illegal duplication of copyright protected software followed by the commercial sale of the duplicated copies. The duplicated copies may be burned onto digital media, such as CDs and DVDs, or it may be made available for download directly from the software counterfeiter. Some estimates are that this type of software counterfeiting accounts for over 90% of installed software in Asian and Middle Eastern countries.