SOFTLIFTING Meaning and
Definition
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Softlifting refers to the act of unlawfully using or obtaining software by legitimate means but violating the terms and conditions of the software license agreement. It involves the unauthorized sharing of licensed software among multiple users or the installation of one licensed copy on multiple computers, contrary to the terms of the software's end-user agreement.
Softlifting can occur in various forms, such as making copies of software, sharing software with others, installing software on multiple devices, or downloading and using unlicensed versions of software. It is typically done without the knowledge or permission of the software owner or vendor, which makes it a copyright infringement.
This practice is different from software piracy as it does not involve the creation or distribution of illegal copies. Instead, it relies on abusing legitimate access and licenses. Softlifting may occur due to cost-saving motives or convenience, where users try to circumvent licensing restrictions to gain access to software without paying the full price or obtaining the proper licenses for each installation.
Softlifting is considered illegal and unethical since it undermines the software industry's economic stability and hampers innovation. It deprives software developers and vendors of revenue that they are entitled to receive for their intellectual property. The repercussions for softlifting can include legal consequences such as fines or even imprisonment, as well as damage to a person's reputation and potential civil liability.
Etymology of SOFTLIFTING
The word "softlifting" is a combination of two terms: "soft" and "lifting".
The term "soft" in this context refers to software piracy or unauthorized copying of software. It comes from the concept of "soft" as the opposite of "hard" in the computing world. "Soft" indicates programs, codes, or data that are stored in a non-physical or intangible form like software or digital files.
"Lifting" is used here in the sense of stealing or taking without permission. It is a common slang term for theft, derived from the action of physically lifting or taking something without the owner's consent.
So, when combined, "softlifting" refers to the act of using or making unauthorized copies of software or digital content without the proper licensing or payment.
