Software License Violation Penalty
A software license violation penalty is the fine or legal action that occurs as a result of software piracy.3 min read
A software license violation penalty is the fine or legal action that occurs as a result of software piracy. Software piracy is the unauthorized use, duplication, or distribution of copyrighted software. It also includes illegal copying, downloading, and expired licenses. The Business Software Alliance and Software and Information Industry Association states that about 40 percent of installed software in the business realm and 23 percent of software overall in the US are illegally copied. Regardless of these statistics, software piracy is a serious criminal offense and may result in severe legal consequences for both businesses and individuals.
Software Piracy Law
In the US, copyright laws classify software piracy into three main categories. Infringement in any category may result in prosecution.
- Counterfeit sales occur when a person illegally duplicates and sells copyrighted software without the copy owner's permission. Even just purchasing the software can result in a fine.
- Unlicensed use occurs when consumers or employees copy or share software programs without an appropriate number of licenses. Using restricted-use software for unauthorized purposes (e.g. using academic versions in a business) is also included in this category. It is the most common type of piracy among home users and businesses.
- Hard disk loading occurs when a third party installs software onto a computer (either new or old) without the permission of the copyright holder. Generally, this occurs in questionable computer shops or with repair technicians.
Penalties for Software License Violation
Whenever piracy occurs, the copyright holder loses their rightful profits. If the accused party is found guilty, they will be responsible for paying for any lost profits and damages, in addition to legal fees. If the accused has shared the software with others, they can also be responsible for lost profits and damages associated with each installed copy.
Just like illegally downloading movies and music, software piracy is a federal crime. In some cases, the consequences may go beyond just paying back the copyright holder and may even cause federal statutory damages to be charged. Depending on the case, the amount will vary, but it can be as much as $150,000 per instance.
The legal penalties are much more severe when people or businesses are caught selling illegal software. They may be required to pay fines as high as $250,000 and may face up to five years in prison. In addition, a permanent felony will be on their record.
Unlicensed Software in the Workplace
Most businesses rely on software to increase employee productivity and overall business efficiency. The reality is that it is relatively easy for a business to obtain unlicensed software. Many employees unknowingly use unlicensed software and some don't even know that it's illegal to use and copy software that the company has not licensed.
Upon installation, software users typically agree to enter End User License Agreements (EULAs). Violating these agreements may result in liability for the business, its officers, and its directors. The Copyright Act of the United States (sometimes referred to as simply the "Act") is the most powerful law used to enforce EULAs. Within this law, various damages (including actual damages and attorneys' fees and costs) are identified, which can be enforced against the use of unlicensed software.