# Software Sharing Ethics Part of the Digital Technology Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/index.md) *7. Intellectual Property* > **7b.** Explain when it is permissible to accept a free copy of a program from a friend. Your friend offers you a copy of a game that costs $60. "I already bought it — just copy it from my USB drive." It seems harmless. But is it legal? The answer depends entirely on the **license** that came with the software. ## Software Licenses: The Rules of the Game When you buy or download software, you are not actually buying the program itself — you are buying a **license** to use it. The license is a legal agreement that spells out exactly what you can and cannot do with the software. This is true for everything from big-budget video games to simple mobile apps. Different licenses allow different things: ### Commercial Software (Proprietary License) Most paid software — Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, major video games — comes with a **proprietary license** that restricts copying and sharing. **Typical rules:** - You may install the software on a limited number of devices (often just one) - You may **not** copy the software for friends - You may **not** redistribute it - You purchased a license for **your personal use only** Accepting a copy of proprietary software from a friend is **software piracy** — a violation of copyright law, even if neither of you profits from it. It does not matter that your friend bought a legitimate copy. Their license covers *them*, not you. ### Freeware **Freeware** is software the creator distributes for free. You can download, use, and often share freeware without paying anything. **Examples:** VLC Media Player, 7-Zip, Audacity (basic version), many mobile apps If your friend offers you a copy of freeware, that is **perfectly fine** — the license explicitly allows free distribution. ### Open-Source Software **Open-source software** is released under licenses that allow anyone to use, study, modify, and distribute the software — often including the actual source code (the human-readable programming instructions). **Examples:** Linux, Firefox, LibreOffice, GIMP, Python, Blender Accepting a copy of open-source software from a friend is **completely permissible**. In fact, sharing is encouraged — it is a fundamental principle of the open-source movement. ### Shareware and Freemium **Shareware** lets you try the software for free with limitations (time-limited trial, reduced features). You are expected to pay if you continue using it. **Freemium** software is free for basic use but charges for premium features. Sharing the free version is usually fine. Sharing a cracked or unlocked premium version is not. > **Did You Know?** > > The open-source movement has produced some of the most important software in the world. The Linux operating system (open source and free) runs over 90% of the world's web servers, most smartphones (Android is based on Linux), and nearly all of the world's top 500 supercomputers. ## The Simple Test When a friend offers you a copy of a program, ask yourself: **Can I Accept This Copy?** — Run through this decision checklist - [ ] Is the software **free** (freeware or open source)? If yes, accepting is fine. - [ ] Is it a **free trial or demo**? If yes, accepting the trial version is fine. - [ ] Is it **paid/commercial software**? If yes, accepting a copy is likely piracy unless the license specifically allows multiple installations or sharing. - [ ] Does the license specifically allow the friend to share their copy? Read the license terms — some family plans or multi-device licenses allow sharing. - [ ] Is your friend offering you their legitimate **account credentials** to use paid software? This is usually against the terms of service and not permissible. ## Why It Matters Software piracy might seem victimless, but it has real consequences: - **Developers lose income**, which can mean fewer updates, fewer new features, or the company going out of business - **Independent developers** and small studios are hit hardest — a game from a three-person studio depends on every sale - **You could face legal consequences** — copyright infringement can result in fines or lawsuits - **Pirated software often contains malware** — cracked programs are a common way cybercriminals distribute viruses and trojans (as you learned in [Req 4c](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/req4c/)) > **Tip** > > If you want software but cannot afford it, look for legitimate free alternatives first. LibreOffice replaces Microsoft Office. GIMP replaces Photoshop. DaVinci Resolve replaces expensive video editors. There is almost always a free, legal option — and using it respects both the law and the Scout Law point of being trustworthy. ![Infographic showing four software license types: Proprietary, Freeware, Open Source, and Shareware with sharing indicators](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/software-license-types?v=d7e1d131) [Creative Commons — About the Licenses](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/): Learn about Creative Commons licenses — a popular system that lets creators specify exactly how their work can be used, shared, and modified. You understand the ethics of software sharing. Now let's explore a real-world example of intellectual property law in action. --- - Previous: [Copyrights, Patents & Trademarks](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/req7a/index.md) - Next: [IP Disputes in the News](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/req7c/index.md)