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Workplace Software Piracy Acceptable to More than Half of Students Surveyed
By TED GLANZER
TMCnet Communications and Broadband Columnist
Employers beware. The workforce of the future is less likely to take anti-piracy laws as seriously they should, even in the workplace. Survey released by the Business Software Alliance reveals that 66 percent of college students believe that, in general, illegally swapping or downloading copyrighted files is acceptable.
Indeed, the survey revealed that more than half of the college students who responded believe that it is all right to illegally share or download digital files while at work.
According to the survey, which was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs and released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), 52 percent of the students who responded believe software piracy is acceptable while on the job.
Furthermore, according to the survey, 66 percent of students "see nothing unethical about swapping or downloading files illegally without paying for them."
The survey's results were particularly troubling to the BSA.
"This survey demonstrates how common illegal file-sharing is on campus and the fact that software piracy ethics are sadly lacking," Diane Smiroldo, BSA's vice president of public affairs, said in a prepared statement. "A strong message needs to be sent to businesses, particularly those that hire new graduates: Educate your new employees. Communicate clearly that illegal file-sharing and downloading carries serious legal, financial and security consequences."
Smiroldo noted further: "College-age students – most of whom grew up with technology – are our future workforce. Before they begin their careers, they need to understand that they may put their employer at risk by engaging in software theft."
Indeed, employers can be held liable for their employees' actions. According to the BSA's press release, businesses face fines up to $150,000 per infringement.
Smiroldo recommends that businesses conduct software audits "to certify that employees are using only licensed software."
According to the press release, the survey reflects the responses of 1,062 university and college students to an on-line interview. Two-hundred college faculty and administration members were also interviewed via the telephone.
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Ted Glanzer is assistant editor for TMCnet. For more articles by Ted Glanzer, please visit:
http://www.tmcnet.com/tmcnet/columnists/columnist.aspx?id=100033&nm=Ted%20Glanzer
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