Singapore changes Copyright Amendment Bill 2004

What Happens When You Are Caught With Illegal Software? In the case of business software, companies must ensure that they are using only licensed and legal programmes within their business environment. Once the new laws are in place, software non-compliance in a business environment can attract criminal penalties. a. Sentence: Ist offence: fine max. SGD20,000 and /or imprisonment max. 6 months b. 2nd offence: fine max. SGD$50,000 and/or imprisonment max.3 years jails. What Is Software Piracy? Software piracy is the reproduction, distribution or use of a software product without the expressed permission of its author. Software piracy is theft- stealing someone else's original idea and product. Many people also think that piracy only involves using illegal or counterfeit software. This form of piracy is called software counterfeiting - which is the illegal duplication and sale of software in a form that is identical to the genuine product. However, beside software counterfeiting, software piracy also comes on other forms. These include: a. Hard disk loading: Where computer dealers pre-install illegal copies of software onto PCs prior to sale. Some dealers use one legally acquired copy but install it on many machines. These PCs are usually sold without any form of licensing documentation or disks. b. Client-server overuse: When too many employees on a network use a central copy of a program at the same time. c. Internet piracy: This is the fastest growing form of software piracy. Counterfeit software on CDs are sold through the Internet, or software programs are placed by third parties on the Internet for downloads free of charge or for a fee. Pirates tend also to use the internet as a means of advertising to solicit sales. d. End user piracy: End users (both home and corporate users) who are utilising unlicensed software on their systems, or who have installed more copies than they are entitled to under their license agreements, for example: a company with only one license installing the software on five PCs. Many companies are not aware that under-licensing is also a form of software piracy. For example, they cannot buy one copy of software and install it on many PCs. Companies must ensure that they comply with their software licensing agreements. a. Single licenses : Single licenses are most commonly called end-user license agreement (EULAs). These licenses are supplies with fully package products, as in the case of off-the-self products typically purchased through retail computer stores. They are included with PCs that come pre-loaded with software or are supplies through online distribution arrangement. Many of these licenses support "click-to accept" licensing formats which require no signature to a written agreement. b. Volume licenses: A volume license is distinctly different from the EULA,since it allows organisation with larger systems to obtain multiple licenses. As is the case with many multi-user agreements, these license are usually obtained through negotiation and written agreement with software publisher. Sometimes volume licensing agreement may also entitle the user to product upgrades during the term of that license agreement. c. Per seat/per server licenses: In today's typically networked office environment, per seat/per server licenses are usually required for use with certain types of server software. Not all server products require users to have individual or separate licenses. (check with your software publisher) Some server products and their associated licensing programmes do require the user to have a separate license for accessing that servers, broadly referred to as an "access license" d. Per server: Per server license are a type of concurrent license. That is to say they are license that allow a maximum number of permitted users to access the server at any one time. e. Per seat: Per seat licenses will generally require one access license for each device (pc) accessing the servers. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not remove any sticker on the operating system on your PC because it the proof of your licensing. What Is Software Compliance? Software non compliance in the business environment. Whether through under licensing or the use of unauthorised or infringing software, is often the result of a lack of a proper software asset management (SAM) process in an organisation. In order to prevent under licensing or the use of infringing software, companies should put in place a robust SAM process. SAM is simply a process that businesses take to better manage their software assets so that they know exactly what software programs they have and need. SAM can help companies get the maximum value out of their investment in software. Importantly, SAM is also a great way for businesses to identify and eliminate unauthorised software, and address under licensing issues. Managing software well is a four steps process: a, Develop Policies and procedure b. Audit your software c. Determine what's is legal or illegal d. Establish a routine audit Are Your Windows OS Legal? There are many ways to check if you have a Legally Licensed Microsoft Windows installed in your desktop, notebook PC as well as your servers. For Win 95SE, 98, ME, and 2000 users you should be looking for the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on your system or the Operation Manual if you have purchase your software from your system supplier. Alternatively, you should have in your possession the original CDROM that has an Edge-to-Edge holographic image if you have purchase the software from shops. For XP and Server 2003 users, life just got simpler. All you need to do is to visit the Microsoft's How To Tell website and you will get all the online utilities there to check for your software authenticity. Are Your Other Software Legal? Besides the OS, there are probably many other common software applications running on your computer. Most of these software requires you to purchase a software license or agree to their End-User License Agreement. If someone else has installed it for you it would be wise to check if you have accidentally breach the license agreement. Read these website for some example of a license requirement: A) Microsoft Office B) Adobe C) Mcafee D) WinZip