3.+Copyright+and+Software

· **Why do software authors need to be protected by copyright?** They need to protect the work that they have created: -So they get the money and recognition for the software that they have created. -So that they are the only ones who can make copies of the software. If people make illegal copies of the software the author loses money. (Source.4.) -So that they are the only ones who can release it for public use and they get the money from its sales, for the work that they have done. (source.4.) -So they can make changes to their own programs, release newer versions, etc. (source.4.) -** When illegal copies of software is made and shared to many people, the software author/company loses money, as they don't get paid for the 'sale' of that copy of their software. -Illegal copies of software products can contain viruses and the more the product is downloaded the more the viruses will spread through computer systems. (source.6.) - A recent report by the Business Software Alliance and analyst IDC has estimated that "software piracy currently costs the local software sector $525.4 million", (Source.7.). - In 2008, software piracy was estimated to have cost companies around $58 billion, (source.8.) -**People can be jailed. (source.4.) -The infringing material can be confiscated. (source.4.) -Guilty people/parties may have to pay the other party money to make up for the money they would have lost, based on what the item would have sold for. They may also have to pay back the money they have made off the copied material. (source.4.)
 * · How does software piracy become a cost to the Australian computer industry each year?
 * · What is the result of software piracy?