Pirated Software

[timmyo]

I’ve had this dilema for years and I don’t know what to do. Two different peope in my company have pirated copies of very expensive software on their computers. I don’t believe they have used it in a year or more and they hardly ever used it in the past, but yes, they did use it for company purposes a few times and I know about it, but have never directly said anything. I’ve expressed the importance of legal licensing a few times, but I never aimed my comments directly at them. Am I morally culpable for not confronting them directly on this? I know the reaction will be very hostile and uncomfortable and I don’t even know if they would destroy the software. I also use the same software and have a legal license. Should I get more legal licenses for this expensive software for these individuals? I just don’t know what to do since they may never use it again or barely use it and I don’t want to waste money. Help!! Thank you.

 

[nike248]

I don’t think you should buy more licenses because the sin is being committed by them and you’re not helping them see that by buying more licenses. You should say something like: “You know that’s illegal, right?” If they just laugh it off, don’t worry about it. You already informed them and if they don’t want to hear, they don’t want to hear. Simple as that

 

[cathologos]

It depends.

You asked if you should buy licensed copies for them.

Are you responsible for your firm’s software purchases? Are you responsible for their software policies? Do they have any software policies?

Somebody in the company is certainly responsible for this – the person in charge of purchasing, if nobody else. If you are not that person, then you need to bring the problem to that person’s attention. If that person is one of the perpetrators, you need to point out the fact that your company could be held liable if the Software Publishing Association finds out about this. Six-figure court settlements aren’t uncommon. Do you want your firm to confront this kind of a lawsuit and settlement?

Your company needs to get legal. This means either the responsible officers of the company see that the software is removed, or that they obtain licenses for each copy in use – and in residence on somebody’s hard disk is “in use.”

If the responsible company officers choose not to get legal, they are at risk for a major problem down the road – and sooner or later, somebody will blow the whistle – either because it is the right thing to do, or because they’re annoyed with the bosses, or some such.

 

[timmyo]

We don’t have a policy on software. I have the authority to purchase software, but I am not the sole purchaser of software in my company, nor is there a manager for such things, but I do want to get the company legal for the company’s sake. The easy way out is to just purchase extra licenses of the software. This would make the company legal, but since they would hardly ever or never use it, this seems like a waste of company money. I think the best moral choice would be to order the pirated versions removed from hard drives. Do I have the guts to tell them to remove it? I hope so. I just wish I never knew about this. Ignorance is bliss sometimes. Please pray for me.

 

[cathologos]

timmyo:

We don’t have a policy on software. I have the authority to purchase software, but I am not the sole purchaser of software in my company, nor is there a manager for such things, but I do want to get the company legal for the company’s sake. The easy way out is to just purchase extra licenses of the software. This would make the company legal, but since they would hardly ever or never use it, this seems like a waste of company money. I think the best moral choice would be to order the pirated versions removed from hard drives. Do I have the guts to tell them to remove it? I hope so. I just wish I never knew about this. Ignorance is bliss sometimes. Please pray for me.

I will most certainly pray for you. These things can be difficult.

The real question, though, is not whether you have the “guts” to tell people to get legal – it’s whether you have the authority. You seem to be saying that nobody is in charge, that nobody individually is ultimately responsible for company policy. I have some difficulty believing that is an accurate description of your company. These criminals report to somebody – unless it’s the CEO who’s pirating software – in which case all you can do is give him/her your best advice, and, if common sense and ethics are ignored, then start to look for another company.

If it’s not the senior officers who are the problem, then I would assume that the senior people would appreciate the legal risk that’s being taken, if not the moral problem. How about the major investors?

Now, maybe you work for a small firm, run by its principals, who are the individuals pirating the software (e.g., a small engineering or architectural firm, and they’ve stolen copies of a high-end CAD program). In such a case, if it were me, I would: 1) start looking for another job; and 2) call the SPA.

Yes, this could be difficult. But sometimes you have to choose. I changed jobs a year ago – and part of the reason appears to be because I let it be known that I was not willing to be involved in funding embryonic stem cell research (I was a senior manager of a public agency that funds academic research); I was asked to leave. I was nervous; but God provides…I’m now in a position I should have taken years ago, in another agency.