Protecting Intellectual Property

With the increase of bandwidth speed and launching of multiple download sites, it is no surprise that many computer users have opt out of tangible media. In the past, when a consumer wants to purchase a software, they must make a trip to the store, purchase from a website or call to place their order. With the current technology, a purchase can be made and have the software delivered digitally and in some cases, instantaneously. With this convenience, comes a price for the software vendor. It is so much easier for someone to share the media with an unlicensed user. In the past, it was more troublesome because in order to share the media digitally, a user will have to remove the copyright protection, rip the CD or DVD, and then upload the file(s). Depending on how difficult it is to remove the copyright protection, it may take an individual hours or days before the software is converted to a shareable digital format. Regardless of the ease or difficulty of sharing media, the user must respect the license agreement that accompanies the software. If the software vendor's license agreement allows a user to freely distribute the product and do so at their own risk, then it is clearly legal to share the software. But downloading a copy of the software that requires a product key or license is unethical and illegal. In my opinion, it is illegal to download a copy of the software if the developer expects payment for their product. I do think downloading the software for testing and or trial purpose should be allowed and as long as the user does not have the intent on "cracking" the software to extend that trial and/or testing period. The software developer, artists, and all the parties involved need to make a living. If everyone started copying and downloading illegal copies of the software, these industries will cease to exist because they will not have any funds to continue their work product. At the same time, I disagree with the frequent new version release that software developers have been putting in place that requires the buyers to pay again. It would encourage the buyer to purchase legal software if the software developer provided free updates for at least a year. A workaround for those who have little to no money to purchase a software legally is to look at "freewares" or open-source software. These types of software exist and have been created by numerous developers for the purpose of sharing freely. Not only are they free but support is as easy as joining a forum or discussion group.