Software piracy can occur in many forms. Some of which you may not be aware of. The costs associated with software piracy can be very expensive. At first you may think that you are saving money, but pirated software can cause loss of productivity and possibly fines. If you or your employers are caught for software piracy fines can be very costly. The cost of software should be included in your budget.

… Corporate/Government Account Under-Licensing

… Consumer Copying/Downloading

… Hard-Disk Loading

… Counterfeiting

You can significantly reduce the risk of buying illegal software by adopting these four easy procedures:

1. Understand what you are buying
2. Check the prices
3. Be sure that you are given a license agreement
4. Retain the original media

1. Understand What You are Buying
Take time to find out about the products that you are buying and the people that you are buying them from. Read reviews and talk to colleagues and suppliers so that you build up a knowledgeable perspective. Your business probably has a growing dependency on information technology. It is therefore essential that you consider what would happen if you buy illegal software and it fails to operate as expected.

2. Check the Prices
The software industry is very competitive and you will inevitably find price variations. However, you should be wary of a price that seems too attractive. As a guide, check the offer against the manufacturer's recommended retail price. If you are buying a complete system, ask for hardware and software to be separately itemized on the quotation.

3. Be Sure That You are Given a License
It is a standard within the software industry that every legal piece of software include a license agreement. This applies whether you are buying software for use on one machine, software to be networked across a number of machines or software that’s preloaded as part of a system.

Whatever the application, the software will state the condition of its use.

5. Retain the Original Media
   When you buy legal software, the package will, in most cases, contain the original media (either diskettes or CD’s, or the means to obtain it) plus certain documentation based on the manufacturer's standard procedures (such as user instructions). These should normally be supplied even if you are buying a preloaded system

1. Ask questions. If it sounds too good to be true, ask more questions.
2. Use a credit card, especially if you are buying software online.
   There are few options for payment when purchasing software online, and reports frequently warn you against making purchases with your credit card. In this case, it can be a blessing. If you do receive illegal software and are unable to return it, credit card transactions often can be traced or cancelled.
3. It's a good practice to buy or download software from the software publisher or reputable resellers. Be cautious about purchasing the following versions on-line:
1. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Licenses for OEM versions of software usually stipulate that it can only be sold pre-installed on a computer hard drive. That means you cannot purchase an OEM software package via the Internet unless it is pre-installed on a computer that your are purchasing.
2. AE (Academic Edition). Unless you qualify for this version and buy it from an authorized reseller or the software publisher, do not purchase an academic edition of software. Consult the software publisher regarding their specific eligibility qualifications.
3. NFR (Not-for-Resale). NFR is for evaluation or promotional purposes, and is usually distributed directly from the software publisher. It is not supposed to be sold.
4. Demo or Trial versions. Software publishers let you try some programs for a short period, or use a limited version of the program. To ensure that you have a valid license to use these special versions you should obtain the software from the software publisher or other reputable source.
5. Beta versions. Sometimes a software publisher will let you try a pre-release version of the software before it is available for purchase. They are not always available to the general public, and are not supposed to be sold.
   
4. Multiple-companies' products bundled or on one disk.
   With a few exceptions, most products are not bundled with products from another software publisher. If you are unsure, call the software publisher or visit their web site's product page to determine whether it is an authorized package.
   
5. Multiple products from a single company on one disk.
   More frequently software publishers distribute several of their own products together (for example, office suites). Be wary of "bundles" that include almost too many products - thousands of dollars of software in one package for an unbelievable price. Again, check with the software publisher or their web site to determine if it is a legitimate bundle.
6. Check the disk(s).
   Most commercial software distributed today is on CD-ROM, which comes with a silk-screened (painted) label. Usually, copied software can be identified quickly by its label, which is often hand-written, adhesive, laser-printed, or photocopied. Recordable CD's (CD-R format) are frequently used to copy software. They are often gold in colour, and usually bear the mark of the disk manufacturer (Sony, Maxell, TDK, etc.)

Most organizations include in their budget the cost of maintaining their computer hardware; they should also include budgeting for computer software. Software is quickly changing and consideration should be given to its upgrading. Software piracy is illegal and the fines associated with it are harsh. There are organizations that are employed by various software manufacture. These companies protect the rights of its member companies against the unauthorized sale or reproduction of software through the support of the legal prosecution of individuals or groups involved in this unlawful activity.

Aboriginal Computer Solutions Ltd. is a technology company specializing in the supply of computer products and related services. Aboriginal Computer Solutions Ltd. can be contacted at 604-925-8106, by email at support@aboriginalcomputersolutions.com or visited on the web at www.aboriginalcomputersolutions.com