Social Issues of Software Piracy

Many researchers have determined that a users culture and socio-economic status determines their proclivity towards software piracy. There are several factors to consider when studying cultural impact on software piracy chief among these is parenting, education, religion, and socialization. These four factors determine more then just a users inclination to commit software piracy, they are not the only factors however, laws and governmental structure also help to determine a users readiness. Some researchers have found that Western and Eastern societies view software piracy differently, in addition developed and developing countries have differing views as well. Western cultures value personal rights and a liberal system of government and agree more closely with existing copyright laws. Eastern cultures, such as China and Singapore, weigh social harmony and cooperation above all else and assess their involvement with software piracy socially rather then legally. (Bryan, 2000) Another social aspect to consider is software piracy in developing countries as opposed to developed, where laws are set up and generally followed by the majority because of exacting consequences in violating the law, developing countries have a looser legal system and these societies as stated by Bryan, [they] “do not accept the monopoly claims over intellectual property asserted by business firms.” (Bryan, pg. 201) Culture aids extensively in a users predilection to partake in software piracy, more extensively then covered in this brief overview, because as with any other decision, how a user is educated and their view of the world is all determined by culture.


Bryan, W. H. (2000). The impact of national culture on software piracy. Journal of Business Ethics, 26(3), 197-211. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198104558