Piracy Statement

Software Piracy/Copyright Infringement

Consequences of Software Piracy

The losses suffered through software piracy directly affect the profitability of the software industry. Because of the money lost to pirates, publishers have fewer resources to devote to research and development of new products, have less revenue to justify lowering software prices, and are forced to pass these costs on to their customers. Consequently, software publishers, developers, and vendors are taking serious actions to protect their revenues.

Software piracy comes in many forms, but is broadly defined as the illegal duplication, use, sale, or distribution of copyrighted software.

Use of ACD Systems software is limited to a license agreement that specifically states the terms and conditions under which the software may be used, transferred, or distributed legally.

Duplicating ACD Systems software without a license to do so is not permitted.

Piracy, including violation of the license agreement, is copyright infringement and may be punished under both civil and criminal law in the United States and internationally.

Common Types of Software Piracy

Counterfeiting:

Counterfeiting is what many people think of when they think of software piracy. Counterfeiting is the duplication and sale of software with the intent to pass off the illegal copy as a legitimate copy produced by the original software manufacturer. Much of the software offered for sale at deep discounts on online auctions is counterfeit software. In their efforts to fool the buying public into believing that the product is authentic, counterfeiters often reproduce the graphics and packaging of the actual software. Because the company owns the rights to those graphics, this reproduction is independent and additional infringement of copyright and other intellectual property rights of the company.

Unbundling:

Some of ACD Systems' programs are distributed as OEM (original equipment manufacturer) software. These are only legally distributed when “bundled” with specified hardware.

Unbundling occurs when the OEM disk is not sold with the bundled hardware.

Unbundling violates the software license and constitutes copyright infringement.

Duplicating:

It is copyright infringement to duplicate and distribute any of ACD Systems' software, including OEM software, even if there is no attempt to pass off the software as legitimate, unless you are licensed to do so by ACD Systems. End users are not authorized by ACD Systems to copy the software for anyone else-be it a friend, relative, coworker, or Internet acquaintance.

Key generating:

Software downloaded from ACD Systems' Web site-www.acdsystems.com-is activated by inputting a unique serial number provided by ACD Systems. A key generator, or key-gen, is an application that creates fake serial numbers that the software application recognizes as valid.

Activating software using a key-gen number is unlawful. ACD Systems blacklists key-gen numbers: people using blacklisted numbers are not entitled to upgrades or product support.

Transfer of License:

ACD Systems' software may be transferred by end users under limited circumstances with the prior written permission of ACD Systems. The end user may not retain a copy. The end user must delete the program from their computer and destroy any backup copies. Downloaded serial numbers may not be transferred. Users of demonstration, trial, and promotional versions of ACD Systems' software are not entitled to product upgrades or product support.

What to Do If You Discover Piracy

It is important for members of the Internet community to both recognize and avoid pirated software. Pirated software is not only illegal, but also means the user sacrifices technical support, documentation and upgrades, and risks computer viruses. If a user suspects software available for download may be pirated, they should avoid it. If a software offer seems "too good to be true," then it probably is. Common sense is the user's best weapon against illegal software.

To report suspected piracy, piracy@acdsystems.com All reports are kept confidential.