6b. What are the methods to tackle piracy? (Software Piracy)

Having discuss about the methods to tackle multimedia piracy, we shall now explore into ways of handle software piracy.

·      Available Cases 

Ø  Methods to tackle Software piracy

1) Current efforts are coming in two parts. An industry body that oversees hardware technologies is creating the new set of standards designed to let individual manufacturers add their own copy-protection schemes. Waiting in the wings to take advantage of the standards body's proposal is a specific technology jointly created by Intel, IBM, Matsushita Electric and Toshiba, dubbed Content Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM).

2) At least two big computer companies, IBM and SanDisk, are considering implementing CPRM, according to developers. If adopted widely, it and other hardware-based copy protection ideas stand a chance of easing fears among record labels and movie studios about selling content online.

3) Piracy directly threatens the copyrights of information, thus governments and authorities have tightened security to fight piracy.

Ø  Problems faced with cumbersome security measures

1) Companies which made hard-to-copy software found sales suffered as users got fed up with the security measures involved.

2) Plan was initiated  to affect removable data storage, such as Zip drives or the Flash memory cards used in MP3 players. But the standards could ultimately serve as a way to keep consumers from copying copyrighted files directly onto their hard drives, a daunting prospect for those who download music or videos from the Net though programs such as Napster or Gnutella.

3) Any hardware device that limits what consumers can do with their music or video files will face steep hurdles before being adopted. Previous devices with built-in copy protection have reached the market only to disappear under the weight of consumer indifference.

4) Attempting to shut down file-sharing websites encouraged the growth of others. Cutting or limiting people’s connection is better than trying to imprison offenders; suing people has proven expensive, unpopular and ineffective.

5) According the internationally established Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, "Existing laws and regulations may be too broad and general to deal adequately with the rapid technological developments that facilitate digital piracy, and policy makers may need to consider enacting some specific provisions to deal with these infringements. Such provisions should not unduly impede legitimate digital communications, nor unreasonably impact on the Internet as an effective communications platform, commercial channel and educational tool..."

Possible Solution

Bundle unlimited downloading service with ISP subscription may be the best solution. They are downloading music legally that appears to be free.