Official software often has very high usage fees, which makes computer users afraid and often look for another way to “circumvent the law”, which is using cracked software. Cracked software is increasingly popular because when using such software, users will not have to pay a fee but can still use all the functions. However, this can pose potential risks to customers. A question arises: Is it considered illegal for users to use crack software? Please follow our article below.
1. What is crack software?
Vietnamese law does not have a clear definition of “Cracked software.” Cracking can be imagined as the act of a programmer cracking the code to secretly access software, steal software, and make a software product copyrighted and have to pay a fee to be able to use it. The app becomes free when activated.
In short, cracked software is most simply understood as paid software that has been cracked. When using cracked software, users can use all functions for free, all functions, and no time limit.
2. Why is cracked software used by many people?
One of the first and biggest benefits for crack software users is to use all functions for free without limitations. Some paid applications cost from tens of thousands to tens of millions a year to use. Therefore, using cracked software will reduce the amount of money spent.
In addition, having cracked files will help install software comfortably and quickly. As well as being easy to share with many users, there is no need to buy the same software multiple times to install it on many different computers.
3. Is using cracked software illegal?
The law prohibits all methods of copying, illegally using software, or unlocking software without the permission of the intellectual property owner. Therefore, using unlicensed software is a violation of the law. In all cases, the issue of intellectual property protection is always the greatest concern.
Crack not only harms the stability of the system, but also poses the risk of losing important information and inconvenience caused by hidden destructive programs, and most especially, has a very negative impact on the system and user awareness. Not only that, the above act is also a violation of the law because computer programs are one of the objects included in the types of works protected by copyright under Article 14 of the Intellectual Property Law.
“Crack” is an intervention action to disable the manufacturer’s copyright protection feature. Therefore, the above act is an act of copyright infringement according to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 28 of the Intellectual Property Law as follows:
“4. Intentionally canceling or invalidating effective technological measures implemented by the author or copyright owner to protect the copyright of their work to perform the acts specified in this Article and Article 35 of this Law”.
The act of intentionally canceling or disabling technical and technological measures taken by the copyright owner to protect the copyright of his or her work may be subject to administrative sanctions at a maximum level. Fine from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND (according to Article 20 of Decree 131/2013/ND-CP).
Downloading and using cracked software is a violation of copyright. More specifically, it is considered the act of copying and using computer software without asking for the owner’s permission and paying royalties as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 20 of the Intellectual Property Law.
“Organizations and individuals, when exploiting and using one, several or all of the rights specified in Clause 1 of this Article and Clause 3, Article 19 of this Law, must obtain permission from the copyright owner and pay Royalties and other material benefits (if any) to the copyright owner.
Acts of infringing on the right to copy a work without the permission of the copyright owner may be subject to administrative sanctions with a fine ranging from 15,000,000 VND to 35,000,000 VND (according to Article 18 of Decree 131) /2013/ND-CP).
Using cracked software means copyright infringement, and when discovered, you will be responsible for the violation. According to the Intellectual Property Law, acts of infringing intellectual property rights may be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution with elements constituting a crime. However, the use of crack software in Vietnam is very common and frequent, with almost no management. From now on, the use of the above violations in Vietnam will be handled. needs to be applied, and made more stringent.
Above is the article ” Is the use of cracked software illegal??”. We hope this article is useful to you.
