Smit & Van Wyk, Inc.

Understanding of Software Copyright Requirements

It is essential to study the copyright requirements when downloading software from the Internet. Most people fail to understand the difference between the copyright requirements of for instance, freeware, shareware, public domain software, and commercial software.
The copyright requirements are normally stated within the terms and conditions page which you have to read and accept before proceeding with downloading.

Consumers often ignore the terms and conditions, and simply mark the “I accept” button. Any unauthorised usage of the software, distribution thereof or changing of the content will constitute copyright infringement. If you for example, download a website template, which is free, but there are requirements attached to it, you have to abide within the boundaries set by the author or publisher. You cannot create your website from the template and delete the link or the statement that the template was designed by XYZ. By doing so, you are in direct violation of the terms and conditions of using the web template.

If a person for instance, downloads a free template, and the requirements state that the template may only be used for private purposes that will be for the creation of one’s own website, a person may not use the template for the design of other websites for which they get paid. A person may thus not use a template for commercial purposes.

Understanding that freeware although freely distributed for unlimited time usage, that shareware is free for only a specific period is important. Commercial packages have additional requirements such as only installation on one to three computers allowed or only one copy to be made for the purpose of keeping the original one safe.