Copyright : Terms of the Act

Specific offences which are outlawed by the Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988) are :

• The unauthorised copying of software.
• The sale of software that is known to be copied.
• The provision of software or hardware specifically designed to copy a particular piece of software.

There are some very serious sanctions which a court can impose on anyone breaking the law. These are :

• The copying or sale of copied software is punishable by a prison sentence of up to two years and a large fine.
• The possession of a device designed to copy software is punishable by a prison sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to £2000.
• Damages can be awarded to a software company that has had its software copied.

If the crime is committed by a company rather than an individual then the directors or other responsible members of the company can be held legally responsible.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004