What are the laws regarding software piracy?

Software piracy is illegal in California and is punishable by both civil and criminal penalties. Generally speaking, software piracy is the unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyrighted software. This includes copying, downloading, sharing, or selling software without the permission of the copyright holder. In California, piracy is generally a criminal offense, meaning that law enforcement can arrest and prosecute offenders. This can result in jail time and/or hefty fines. In some cases, civil penalties may also apply. This includes awards of damages and attorney’s fees to the copyright holder. California also has a “notice and takedown” system. Owners of software who discover their copyrighted works are being illegally distributed can contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) hosting the infringing material and demand it be removed. If the ISP refuses, the aggrieved copyright holder can sue for statutory damages. In general, it is important to remember that downloading, sharing, or selling copyrighted software without permission is illegal. It may seem like an innocent way to save money, but the consequences for software piracy can be severe. If you encounter copyright-protected software online, the best course of action is to contact the copyright holder and purchase a legitimate license.

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What are the laws regarding software piracy?

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