Karakaya (2011)
Contents
Source Details
Karakaya (2011) | |
Title: | Analysis of the key reasons behind the pirated software usage of Turkish Internet users: Application of routine activities theory |
Author(s): | Karakaya, M. |
Year: | 2011 |
Citation: | Karakaya, M. (2010). Analysis of the key reasons behind the pirated software usage of Turkish Internet users: Application of routine activities theory (Doctoral dissertation, University of Baltimore). |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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About the Data | |
Data Description: | The data were collected from surveys and interviews about participants’ attitudes toward the usage of pirated software, accessibility to pirated software, motivational factors and guardian factors. The study provides an analysis of the
Turkish Internet users through the views of about six hundred participants in the survey study and about four hundred members in the interview study, of different gender, age and educational levels. |
Data Type: | Primary and Secondary data |
Secondary Data Sources: | |
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Data Analysis Methods: | |
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Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
Time Period(s) of Collection: |
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Abstract
The basic reason for protection of intellectual property rights is the necessity to encourage and support innovation and to promote the creation of knowledge. Intellectual property has a functional effect on the creation, development and innovation of the intellectual products which improve our life. Software piracy is one of the important parts of the digital piracy problem, and according to Swinward et al. (1990), software was also the first copyrighted product that was duplicated on a large scale. BSA defined software piracy as the illegal copying, downloading, sharing, selling or installing of copyrighted software. It is difficult to measure accurately the worldwide magnitude of the software piracy problem. According to the Business Software Alliance (BSA) Global Software Piracy Report, the rate of software piracy in 2009 was 43%. This is a serious problem for the world economy, but the problem is more serious in Turkey. According to the BSA 2009 Global Software Piracy Report, the software piracy rate in Turkey was 63% in 2009. If the assumption is made that every instance of pirated software usage equals an amount of loss in the economy, then the impact of the loss on the Turkish economy was 415 million dollars. Before advanced technology and high speed Internet, software piracy was carried out by copying disks or other types of physical objects, but now almost all types of software piracy occur over the Internet. The aim of this study is to explore the factors that contribute to pirated software usage among Turkish Internet users in order to define the dynamics behind the problem of software piracy from the Internet users’ perspective. Definition of the reasons behind an existing problem is a crucial part of the problem solving process. With this study the factors behind the problem of pirated software usage will be empirically analyzed from the users’ perspective by applying Routine Activity Theory. According to RAT, three major factors that affect criminal activities include access to suitable targets, motivated offenders and the absence of capable guardians. According to the routine activity approach, crime or the risk of crime increases when a motivated offender identifies or encounters a suitable target in the absence of a capable guardian.
Main Results of the Study
- About 70% of Turkish Internet users used pirated software and they are planning to use it in the future as well. However, it seems they access pirated software easily, without using much effort.
- Only about 37% of the participant expressed an intention to try harder to access pirated software if it becomes more difficult to reach.
- For most Turkish Internet users, finding pirated software is an easy task. Internet is mentioned as a leading medium to access pirated software because it is free and easier than other options. Finding pirated software from pirated software market was also mentioned as an option within interview answers.
- A basic motivation to use pirated software is monetary problems, such as: high software prices, turkish people’s low income, students’ low income, and free pirated software option on the Internet.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 600 |
Level of aggregation: | Individual |
Period of material under study: | 1 year |
Sample size: | 400 |
Level of aggregation: | Individual |
Period of material under study: | 1 year |