Piracy Considerations in Development and use of ICT Systems

Syllabus Detail

  • Piracy considerations in development and use of ICT systems. 11 ATAR, 12 GEN 
  • Prevention of software and information piracy. 12 ATAR    

 

What is Piracy?

  • Piracy is simply the illegal use or reproduction of someone else's work
  • In terms of IT, it can apply to the illegal copying, distribution and even use of software
  • Most software comes with End User License Agreements (EULAs) that is included to protect the creator with copyright laws
  • Infringement of this EULA results in piracy and can have legal consequences

 

Piracy Considerations in ICT

  • Piracy is a factor that needs to be regarded heavily in both developing and using ICT Systems
  • For example, companies can stand to lose millions of dollars in revenue from piracy
  • Music and Film companies are constantly in legal battles with courts due to their music and film works being pirated
  • This gives developers something to consider, as they're put at risk of having their work used illegally
  • As ICT experts with clients, it's essential to ensure we're not breaking any laws in terms of piracy, as this could end up costing both ourselves and our clients lots in legal repayments
  • Piracy does give us exciting new opportunities as ICT experts as it forces us to look at ways in which piracy can be prevented and products can be secured digitally

 

Types of Software Piracy:

  • Softlifting: Borrowing and installing a copy of software from a friend / colleague.
  • Client-server overuse: Installing and using more copies of software than you have purchased licenses for.
  • Hard-disk loading: Installing and selling unauthorized copies of software on re-build or new computers.
  • Counterfeiting: Copying and re-selling copyrighted programs.
  • Online Piracy: Involves downloading content illegal online. This can include books, TV Shows, Movies, Music etc.

 

Preventation of Information and Software Piracy:

  • A lot of times, preventation of piracy is a difficult task
  • Licensing is a legal method of ensuring your work won't be stolen, although pirates often regard these legal documents
  • Special encryption and software signing methods can be put in place to ensure validation of software
  • Often demo versions are released together with full versions of software to help restrict piracy
  • Internet validation can be used to ensure a license has been purchased before starting the software / game



Step 5 - Further Research

  1. 7 Ways to Prevent Piracy here
  2. What are the different ways to stop piracy? here

 

Step 6 - Worksheet and Practice (yet to be added)

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