Internet piracy is the illegal distribution of copyrighted digital files, including music, videos, e-books, software, and more. It has become a worldwide problem due to its ease of use. Piracy involving software is common and difficult to stop, and consumers should purchase from trusted sources to avoid unintentionally buying pirated software.
Internet piracy is the illicit reproduction and/or distribution of any copyrighted digital file that may change hands over the Internet. This can be done with music, video and film files, e-books, software and other materials. Those who engage in this type of piracy can often conduct their entire operation over the Internet, including advertising and sales. It has become a worldwide crime problem, due to the relative ease with which it can be committed, even over long distances.
One of the first widely pirated file types were digital music files, often known as MP3s, due to the .mp3 file extension they carry. Since the 1990s, several very popular file sharing programs have been developed that have facilitated the transfer of these types of files, both legitimate and pirated. These file sharing programs have come under a lot of scrutiny then and ever since because many people have used them to get copyrighted videos and music without paying for them.
Although different countries’ laws on downloading and distributing digital files may vary slightly, obtaining music and movies through Internet piracy is illegal in most countries.
Piracy involving software is quite common and very difficult to stop, as are other types of piracy. It is even possible for a consumer to purchase a pirated software program without realizing that it was produced illegally. It is very easy for someone who engages in this practice to create a legitimate-looking Web page from which to advertise and sell illegally produced software.
Internet-based commerce can allow virtually anyone to conduct business anonymously and in large volumes. Unlike physical products, you don’t need to keep an inventory of digital files, as they can be reproduced and sold quickly. It is partly because of this convenience that there are so many software pirates. If discovered or suspected, they can disappear almost instantly, leaving no contact information or any trace of their activities except a long line of defrauded and dissatisfied customers who can’t get their money back.
One way consumers can avoid unintentionally purchasing counterfeit or pirated software is to do so at a retail outlet or from a website they know they can trust, such as one operated by the software publisher. In these cases the software will almost always be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. It will also be easy to contact the publisher in case of problems with shipping or operating the software.
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