Page 538 - ComputerScience_Class_11

• Internet Piracy: We can download legal software from the Internet, but there are also some websites from where
can get them for free or in exchange of some other legal software. This method of getting legal software illegally is
called Internet Piracy.
• End User Piracy: If a legal user breaks the copyright rules and makes copies of the software without authorisation,
it is called End User Piracy.

• Client-Server Overuse: The protocol of Client-Server is that each user should have a license. But most of the time,
there is a tendency to use the central copy in the server by a greater number of users than the required number of
licenses. This refers to the overuse of software in the Client-Server machine.
• Hard-Disk Loading: Sometimes while selling a new computer, the vendor installs copies of certain software on the
hard disk, which makes the purchase more lucrative.
How to avoid the Software Piracy:
• We should always purchase legal software and that too from reputed vendors or directly from a computer website.
• While buying, we should always check for the license documentation, original disc, etc.
• We should never copy the software and give it to our employees or friends for use. We should also encourage
others to buy original software.
• Check for the serial number that has been provided and any difference should be avoided.
• As soon as the software is purchased, we should register the software so that others will not be able to use the same
serial number.

13.8.5 Intellectual Property Laws
Intellectual Property Laws are designed to protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, artistic works, designs and
brand names, ensuring that creators have the rights to their work and can control its use. These laws include:
• Copyright: Protects original works like literature, music and software code.
• Patents: Protects new inventions or processes.
• Trademarks: Protects brand names, logos and symbols.
• Trade Secrets: Protects confidential business information.

These laws encourage innovation and creativity by ensuring creators are rewarded for their work.

13.8.6 Software Licensing
Software licensing refers to the permission given by the creator of the software that specifies how the software can
be used, modified and distributed. A software license may be free or paid and it determines whether users can share
or modify the software.

13.8.7 Free Software Foundation
Software licensing is an integral part of software development. A software license controls how
the software can be used and distributed to the end users. A software becomes popular when
it is distributed and adopted widely. Most modern software is sold under a proprietary license
agreement which allows the publisher or creator to retain the intellectual property rights of the
software and also collect the necessary revenue for software production.
However, some developers have an alternative viewpoint. They think that software license has a negative impact
on the growth of the software industry. They suggest that companies should grant users the rights to study, change
and share the software’s source code without legal consequences. The concept of “free software” or “open-source
software” thus gained momentum.
The Free Software Movement was the brainchild of Richard Stallman who launched the GNU Project in 1983 and Free
Software Foundation (FSF) in 1985, a non-profit organisation that promotes the development of free software.

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