Software is considered a "literary work" and protected by copyright. Some countries have specific laws about how software may be used within copyright laws, such as 17 USC § 117 in the USA, which allows owners of a lawful copy to make one backup copy for archival purposes. Also, § 109 prohibits rental or lease of copies of software without a license.
It is pretty straight forward. It is illegal to copy software. Distributing copies is a violation of international copyright laws.
Copyright is defined in Title 17 of US Code. The most recent laws that involve software include the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
It varies from country to country. In the US, it is US Code Title 17, and in the UK, it is the Copyright Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
In the US, the Copyright Act of 1976.
Copyright Law 1985 (C-42), as amended.
Mark S. Lee has written: 'Entertainment & intellectual property law' -- subject(s): Copyright, Copyright infringement, Entertainers, Intellectual property infringement, Law and legislation, Legal status, laws, Performing arts, Piracy (Copyright), Software protection
Yes. Copyright infringement of any form is a violation of federal law.
It requires permission from the copyright holder or an exemption in the law.
Copyright infringement is against international law.
Yes, unless you have permission from the copyright holder or an exemption in the law.
yes, people can be fined or even in some cases go to jail for copyright infringement
It's a civil violation of federal law.
Copying, altering, distributing, or performing/displaying a work without permission of the rightsholder is an infringement of copyright law. In the US, infringement is punishable by fines up to $30,000.
By law, libraries are specifically exempted from copyright infringement. (see related links for the specific language of the law)
Many types of willful infringement of copyright are felonies, under US copyright law. 18 USC § 2319 lists the penalties for various violations, including felonies and misdemeanor copyright crimes. These penalties are in addition to any civil damages or injunction for infringement, which may be claimed by a copyright owner through a lawsuit.
Generally, owners will settle for actual damages unless the infringement has been extremely damaging.