Illegal copying, distribution and use of licensed software is called ______

The correct answer is Software Piracy.

Key Points

• Software piracy involves the illegal copying, distribution, or use of software.
• It is a violation of software licensing agreements and intellectual property rights.
• Common forms of software piracy include counterfeiting, internet piracy, and end-user piracy.
• Software piracy can lead to significant financial losses for software developers and publishers.
• It is often addressed through legal actions and anti-piracy measures by authorities and organizations.

Additional Information

• Types of Software Piracy:
  • Counterfeiting: The unauthorized duplication and sale of software, often packaged to look like the original.
  • Internet Piracy: The illegal downloading or distribution of software over the internet.
  • End-User Piracy: When individuals or companies make copies of software without proper licenses.
• Consequences of Software Piracy:
  • Legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
  • Economic damage to the software industry.
  • Security risks, as pirated software may contain malware.
• Anti-Piracy Measures:
  • Use of digital rights management (DRM) technologies.
  • Implementation of software licensing agreements.
  • Conducting software audits to ensure compliance.
• Organizations Combatting Software Piracy:
  • Business Software Alliance (BSA): A trade group that promotes legal software use and fights piracy.
  • Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA): Focuses on protecting intellectual property rights in the software industry.