Both Graphisoft and the client is hurt by piracy

You may not realize it, but software development involves a team effort that blends the creative ideas and talents of programmers, writers and graphic artists. The fair compensation of all these people depend on the receipt of payments for all the copies made of the software. And like most creative works, such as books, music and films, computer software is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

When you purchase software, you do not become the owner of the copyright. Rather, you are purchasing the right to use the software under certain restrictions imposed by the copyright owner, typically the software publisher. The precise rules are described in the End User License Agreement accompanying your software. It is imperative that you read, understand and adhere to these rules. If you copy, distribute or install the software in ways that the license prohibits, whether you are swapping disks with friends and coworkers or participating in widespread duplication, you are violating federal copyright law. Even if you only help someone else make unauthorized copies, you are still liable under the copyright law.

Apart from legal consequences, using copied or counterfeit software also means:

• Greater exposure to software viruses, corrupt disks, or otherwise defective software;
• Inadequate, or no documentation. No warranties;
• Lack of technical product support available to properly licensed users;
• Ineligibility for software upgrades offered to properly licensed users.

Many businesses, both large and small, face serious legal risks because of software piracy. Under the law, a company can be held liable for its employees' actions. If an employee is installing unauthorized software copies on company computers or acquiring illegal software through the Internet, the company can be sued for copyright infringement. This is true even if the company's management was unaware of the employee's actions.

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