Abstract: This research argues that although software piracy has serious implications for the software industry and the economy, the topic receives very little detailed coverage in MIS textbooks. Software piracy has a significant impact on the software industry and on the economy as a whole. Lost sales due to software piracy amount to over $11 billion annually and lost taxes approach $1 billion annually. Current technology makes it a simple task for even a novice computer user to copy software and therefore, unauthorized software is not uncommon. The researchers conducted an evaluation of MIS texts and found that software piracy receives very little coverage in the texts. The research suggests that MIS faculty need to provide material to supplement the textbook coverage in order to provide adequate coverage of this serious issue.

Keywords: Software piracy, Textbook analysis, Copyright, Software license, Intellectual property

Download this article: JISE - Volume 13 Number 4, Page 325.pdf

Recommended Citation: MacDonald, L. E. & Fougere, K. T. (2002). Software Piracy: A Study of the Extent of Coverage in Introductory MIS Textbooks. Journal of Information Systems Education, 13(4), 325-330.