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A survey on software piracy empirical literature: Stylized facts and theory

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  • Gomes, Nicolas Dias
  • Cerqueira, Pedro André
  • Almeida, Luís Alçada

Abstract

As software is central in today’s world, the problem of software piracy is of increasing importance. It reduces the revenues of firms that develop new software and, therefore, it may hinder innovation and growth. To understand better the causes of this phenomenon this paper presents a survey of the empirical literature regarding software piracy and discusses if the findings are coherent with the theoretical literature. Overall we are able to identify eight stylized facts in five dimensions: the Economic, Cultural, Educational, Technological and Legal. Moreover we argue that most of these findings are coherent with that which the theoretical models imply.

Suggested Citation

  • Gomes, Nicolas Dias & Cerqueira, Pedro André & Almeida, Luís Alçada, 2015. "A survey on software piracy empirical literature: Stylized facts and theory," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 29-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iepoli:v:32:y:2015:i:c:p:29-37
    DOI: 10.1016/j.infoecopol.2015.07.008
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    Cited by:

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    2. Salahodjaev, Raufhon & Odilova, Shoirahon & Andrés, Antonio R., 2016. "Intelligence and Crime: A novel evidence for software piracy," MPRA Paper 71569, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Kresimir Zigic & Jiri Strelicky & Michal Kunin, 2020. "Private and Public IPR Protection in a Vertically Differentiated Software Duopoly," CERGE-EI Working Papers wp671, The Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute, Prague.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Software piracy; Copyright; Intellectual property rights;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C50 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - General
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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