My position on ‘Software Piracy’

If I were a representative of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) it is my duty to help stop copyright infringement of software produce by the members of BSA. By definition, software piracy is stealing of legally protected software. If we take into account the Kantian Ethics, we have to ask “what if everybody does it? can it be universalized?” If we decide that using pirated software is stealing (which is certainly stealing because you are using a proprietary software for which you have not paid [the 6th commandment of t Computer Ethics]), then you are morally wrong.
Under RA 8293 or Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, works protected by copyright law include computer databases and computer programs that exhibit ‘authorship’; that is, they contain original expression of ideas. Therefore, using a legally protected software for which you have not paid is punishable by law. However, there are limitations to copyright. In Section 185 (Fair Use of a Copyright Work), the fair use of a copyrighted work hence the proprietary software, for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching including multiple copies for the classroom, scholarship, research, and other similar purposes is not an infringement of copyright. By buying the proprietary software, you become a licensed user not a the owner (EULA). You are allowed to make copies for backup purposes, but it is illegal to give copies to friends and colleagues.