Software piracy on the wane as vendors apply smarter tactics

Pirating software is not as easy as it used to be. Vendors have got smarter and most packages today feature mechanisms that lock down the software to a specific PC or server requiring a specific authorisation code to open the software for use.

With vendors widely adopting such preventive measures and as most software licences are now renewed annually, there has been a steady reduction in the number of software piracy misdemeanours over the past five years, according to Philip Meyer, technology director at payroll and HR software developer Softline Pastel Payroll.

“From time to time we find someone, usually an individual or small organisation, pirating our software and they are therefore operating illegally and are liable for the full cost of the package for as long as they have been using it. But these days we are less inclined to prosecute and, depending on circumstances, often provide assistance in finding practical ways to enable the user to become legal.

“Typically we may allow the pirate user to gain legality by paying the cost of the software and the outstanding annual licence fees via monthly instalments instead of a lump sum. In most cases offenders that have been so assisted become loyal and legal customers.”

Meyer cautions, however, that there remain many “techno-savvy” people in business with the ability to break authorisation codes and deploy pirated software to improve their profitability. Then there are still others who will deliberately set out to pirate commercial software because they see it as a challenge to their computing skills.

“The pirates are still out there, but much now depends on the attitude of the vendor towards piracy. Some still prefer to initiate a process of prosecution which can result in large fines or imprisonment for copyright infringement,” says Meyer.

“We often prefer to draw the offender into a process that brings about legality by offering other options such as outsourced or bureau software services or payment terms that ensure legality is achieved. It results in a win-win situation: the pirate continues to operate but is now legal in every respect and we recover our money and retain a customer who has every encouragement to remain legal.”