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Types of Software Piracy

These are the most prevalent types of software piracy today:

  • Softlifting: purchasing a single licensed copy of software and loading it onto several computers contrary to the license terms. For example, sharing software with friends, co-workers and others. 

  • Uploading and downloading: making unauthorized copies of copyrighted software available to end users connected by modem to online service providers and/or the Internet.

  • Software counterfeiting: illegally duplicating and selling copyrighted software in a form designed to make it appear legitimate

  • OEM unbundling: selling standalone software that was intended to be bundled with specific accompanying hardware 

  • Hard disk loading: installing unauthorized copies of software onto the hard disks of personal computers, often as an incentive for the end user to buy the hardware from that particular hardware dealer 

  • Renting: unauthorized selling of software for temporary use, like you would a video.

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