Types of Software Piracy

Microsoft often describes the goals of activation as saving users from the dangers posed by pirated software, which may contain malicious software, while helping partners compete by eliminating the unscrupulous dealers of counterfeit software. In fact, activation merely addresses one form of software piracy: the improper copying and distribution of software in violation of the software’s license agreement.

According to Microsoft, forms of software piracy include the following:

End-user piracy or softlifting—improper copying or distribution of software in violation of the license agreement, such as attempting to install multiple times from product media (in violation of licensing terms) or making a physical copy of the product media and installing from that

Manufacturer piracy—copying or installing software on one or more computers without permission

Internet piracy—offering unauthorized copies of software for download over the Internet

Counterfeiting—manufacturing and distributing unauthorized copies or slightly modified versions of software in packaging that reproduces or resembles the authorized manufacturer