The Study of Software piracy among undergraduates

Abstract

Advances in computer software convey us time-saving business programs, educational software that teaches basic skills and sophisticated subjects, graphics programs that have revolutionized the design industry, Internet applications that help connect us with other computer users, and an increasingly complex variety of computer games to entertain us. Computer software is a new form of intellectual property and piracy remains a serious problem in all countries, and the challenge is greatest in the world’s fastest growing markets. Software piracy is the unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted software. This can be done by copying, downloading, sharing, selling, or installing multiple copies onto personal or work computers. (Business Software Alliance). This study attmpts to measure to what extent the undergraduates pirate software and their attitude towards software piracy. The research instrument was tested on the sample group consists of 200 students of Faculty of Comerce and Management Studies in University of Kelaniya. To identify the level of software piracy among students, questionnairs were randamly delivered to selected students. Data which was gathered through questionnaires was analysed using SPSS Software. This study found that there is no significant difference between the software piracy and the gender. Further this study proved that undergraduates highly pirate softwares through internet downloading. According to the research findings undergraduates believe that copying software and online downloading is not an illegal activity. However they believe software piracy negatively affects to the software industry and software piracy is something natural thing.