Consequently, there has been an increased focus on piracy by industry groups such as the Business Software Alliance. Part of that focus has included an effort to stiffen penalties for piracy and to increase the probability of being caught. Three hypotheses were developed and tested using an experiment. The results indicate that all three factors are related to the individual's piracy behavior.
Software is used as a substitute for effort.
Therefore, the rational, self-interested employee will always be expected to either pirate or purchase the software. EUT posits that costs and benefits will play major roles in the individual's decision-making process. In this specific case, the cost of the software is a significant factor. The utility to the individual is the benefit gained from the use of the software minus the cost of the software. When the software is pirated, the software cost is not incurred.