The impact of software as a service in software piracy

: has the change in the distribution and sale of software provided not only an accurate answer against software piracy but also an increase in consumer-value?

Abstract

This dissertation aims to answer the question “Has the change in the distribution and sale of software provided not only an accurate answer against software piracy but also an increase in consumer-value?” and it supports its argument not only on the current literature available on the software industry and on software piracy but also on the personal research carried out through an extensive survey of different people in different age groups and from different countries. To aid the analysis, strategic frameworks such as PEST and Five Forces of Porter were used, giving the reader a special landscape view of the industry’s characteristics to better understand how the changes in software distribution will impact consumer demand and satisfaction. It is important to note also that, during the literature review stage, it was understood that authors disagree on several important issues regarding software such as its classification, its origin and whether or not it constitutes patentable subject matter. This particular path led me to question the actions of software companies and whether there was a need or not to patent software. Through this road, I was led to the issue of piracy and to the action that companies have taken with changing the way software was produced and sold to better fit the current landscape of the industry.

Date of Award	27 Feb 2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Nicoletta Corrocher (Supervisor)