Report Piracy

Software is one of the most valuable technologies of the Information Age, running everything from PCs to the Internet. Yet, because software has become such an important productivity tool, the illegal copying and distribution of it – software piracy – persists globally. In fact, in the United States, one in four software programs is unlicensed.

Software is important to every business, government, school and consumer. However, it’s critical for software users to remember that, to get the most out of their software, they must be careful to acquire only legitimate product and manage it well.

Still, many organizations and consumers consider software to be different. They don't tend to manage it as they would any other valuable asset. Poor software management can cost a company or an individual, not only in terms of legal and financial risk but also in terms of lost efficiency and productivity. Remember, software piracy is not simply a crime under U.S. copyright law. It can also destroy computers and data.

In this section are information and resources designed to protect users from the dangers of software piracy. Use this page to gain a better understanding of software management and why a company should implement an effective software asset management strategy, follow the step-by-step approach to a software audit, download the free audit tools, learn about online consumer safety and much more. If you’ve already thought through the issues and now wish to report a company that is using unlicensed software, you can do so confidentially through our online reporting form.