Unauthorized copying of software used to require physically exchanging disks or other hard media through the mail or on the streets. This unauthorized copying was ultimately overshadowed by corporate end-user piracy, a pervasive form of copyright infringement that occurs when otherwise legitimate companies install software on more computers than the licenses they have purchased permit. But old-fashioned, unauthorized copying persists — and as broadband connections have become available around the world, it has spread from street markets to the Internet.
Online software piracy is an evolving and multifaceted challenge — one that impacts the companies that develop and manufacture software, exposes users to a host of unacceptable risks, and ultimately threatens intellectual property in a way that fundamentally undermines the global economy.
As the forms of software piracy have transformed and expanded, so too has the fight against such intellectual property theft. Through its global Internet Enforcement Program, BSA has leveraged its diverse membership, existing global partnerships and vast anti-piracy expertise to mount an adaptable and widely-trusted effort to combat online software piracy.
As part of that initiative, BSA recently launched a robust and interactive online resource focused specifically on Internet Piracy. It is our hope that such a resource will not only confirm BSA’s global commitment and leadership in the fight against Internet piracy, but that this site will also help educate others on this significant challenge and encourage them to join the effort in protecting intellectual property.
Whether you’re a business owner or everyday software consumer, BSA’s Internet Piracy page offers a variety of resources that provide additional information, tools and tips on issues related specifically to online intellectual property theft. From an interactive map featuring BSA’s global monitoring system to a regularly updated news feed, the site serves as a dynamic resource for our visitors.
To learn more about BSA’s Internet Enforcement Program and global trends in Internet piracy, visit www.bsa.org/Internet. To report suspected Internet software piracy, please email ABUSE@bsa.org.
