This paper will divide the evidence collected into two sections. This first half will focus on studies that yielded empirical evidence, with results that can be measured numerically. The second half of the literature review will examine the moral components of piracy, which will be explored in the second half of the literary review. Both will draw from professional sources as a basis in arguing for software piracy.
Empirical Evidence
In 2014, a study was conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon, by the African Governance and Development Institute. The study was led by Dr. Simplice Asongu (2014) and was published in the peer-review journal Emerald Insight. In it, Dr, Asongu compared rates of piracy with economic metrics such as GDP, inflation, and trade …show more content…
Perhaps the strongest moral argument present for software piracy is Utilitarianism. Under Utilitarianism, it is most ethical to maximize the utility of something; or to paraphrase, to have the largest effect for the lowest cost (Driver 2014). Software, though it does cost money to develop, costs little to produce copies (Douglas 2011). Therefore, because the benefits of giving an individual software such as Microsoft Office (i.e. the utility) far outweighs the cost of an additional copy, under Utilitarianism it is most moral that everyone who can possibly use the software has it. Piracy, in this application, serves as a means for maximizing utility and morality.
Normative Egoism. A secondary argument made in favor of piracy is Normative Egoism. This philosophy stipulates that one ought to put themselves before others, as a form of moral duty similar to Kantianism (Moseley n.d.). It is important to underline that Egoism is not intrinsically tied to selfishness. While these qualities are somewhat related, Egoism simply states that one should prioritize themselves. Piracy, in this context, is moral because someone who illegally downloads is putting their needs before others (developers, distributors, …show more content…
They are simpler, and more digestible; however, ethics are never that simple in application. Many researchers have published both books and articles that question the morality of software piracy in more dynamic, complex ways.
Prominent among these authors is Helen Nissenbaum, who claims that banning piracy “interfere with the normal flow of behavior” (Nissenbaum 1995). She argues that if an individual purchases software, they should be free to share it with colleagues or friends, similar to how one might share a personal library. Santillanes and Felder (2015) take a more radical approach, asserting that under institutional ethics codes, software piracy can be morally justified for researchers in some cases. They argue that due to financial constraints, researchers must often choose between illegally downloading software or abandoning their work, similar to the finding of Asongu (2014). In such cases where one’s job at an institution is dependent on consistently publishing research, which is common at large universities (National Education Association n.d.) - it is justifiable for a faculty member to illegally download needed software. Perhaps the most extreme position can be seen in Stallman’s (2011) work, where he claims that copyrights against piracy are used simply to generate larger profits for
Empirical Evidence
In 2014, a study was conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon, by the African Governance and Development Institute. The study was led by Dr. Simplice Asongu (2014) and was published in the peer-review journal Emerald Insight. In it, Dr, Asongu compared rates of piracy with economic metrics such as GDP, inflation, and trade …show more content…
Perhaps the strongest moral argument present for software piracy is Utilitarianism. Under Utilitarianism, it is most ethical to maximize the utility of something; or to paraphrase, to have the largest effect for the lowest cost (Driver 2014). Software, though it does cost money to develop, costs little to produce copies (Douglas 2011). Therefore, because the benefits of giving an individual software such as Microsoft Office (i.e. the utility) far outweighs the cost of an additional copy, under Utilitarianism it is most moral that everyone who can possibly use the software has it. Piracy, in this application, serves as a means for maximizing utility and morality.
Normative Egoism. A secondary argument made in favor of piracy is Normative Egoism. This philosophy stipulates that one ought to put themselves before others, as a form of moral duty similar to Kantianism (Moseley n.d.). It is important to underline that Egoism is not intrinsically tied to selfishness. While these qualities are somewhat related, Egoism simply states that one should prioritize themselves. Piracy, in this context, is moral because someone who illegally downloads is putting their needs before others (developers, distributors, …show more content…
They are simpler, and more digestible; however, ethics are never that simple in application. Many researchers have published both books and articles that question the morality of software piracy in more dynamic, complex ways.
Prominent among these authors is Helen Nissenbaum, who claims that banning piracy “interfere with the normal flow of behavior” (Nissenbaum 1995). She argues that if an individual purchases software, they should be free to share it with colleagues or friends, similar to how one might share a personal library. Santillanes and Felder (2015) take a more radical approach, asserting that under institutional ethics codes, software piracy can be morally justified for researchers in some cases. They argue that due to financial constraints, researchers must often choose between illegally downloading software or abandoning their work, similar to the finding of Asongu (2014). In such cases where one’s job at an institution is dependent on consistently publishing research, which is common at large universities (National Education Association n.d.) - it is justifiable for a faculty member to illegally download needed software. Perhaps the most extreme position can be seen in Stallman’s (2011) work, where he claims that copyrights against piracy are used simply to generate larger profits for