Anirudh Rao 5^th Year LL.B, University Law College, Bangalore

Introduction: Over the past several years, advances in computer software have brought us time-saving business programs, educational software that teaches basic 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. As the software industry grows, everyone stands to benefit for it enables us to perform tasks with a greater degree of efficiency and accuracy. Compared to literature, music and movies, computer software is a relatively new form of intellectual property. Nevertheless, software is protected under the very same laws.

The copyright infringement of software or software piracy refers to practices which involve the unauthorized copying of computer software. Pirated software hurts everyone—from software developers to retail store owners, and ultimately to all software users. Furthermore, the illegal duplication and distribution of software has a significant impact on the economy.
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