Pirated software harms everyone from developers to resellers and consumers. Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual property is the ownership of ideas as well as the control over the tangible or virtual representation of those ideas.
Software is intellectual property, as are books, movies, and music.
Like music performers and authors, software developers use copyright laws to protect their work and their investment in the field. The theft of intellectual property thus eliminates the resources used to develop newer and better products. The high-tech industry is one of the strongest segments of our economy. Respect and protection of intellectual property impacts and benefits everyone. These untested, counterfeit discs may be infected with viruses that will damage your hard drive and may cripple your entire network.