How to split software and songs (BBC)

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All bits are equal but, it seems, some are more equal than others. Technology commentator Bill Thompson reflects on the difference between software and films.

The Federation Against Software Theft (Fast), was set up more than 20 years ago to raise awareness of software piracy and lobby Parliament for changes in the law to help software companies protect their business.

It has had a high profile in the computing world, and many companies have been prosecuted for using unlicensed software following its investigations.

This has had a big impact. According to a recent press release the number of businesses using software without a license was 45% in 1994 and 27% in 2004. It stayed at 27% in 2005 so there is clearly work to be done.

Caught case

Fast is largely concerned with copyright enforcement and, as a result, it is closely allied with the music and film industry, both of whom are very worried about unauthorised copying of their products.

But it creates a problem for those of us who think that copyright law is already too strongly enforced and that our ability to share should also be defended.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5040676.stm