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Software manufacturers angry at Italian piracy ruling WebPosted Thu Apr 27 16:14:36 2000 - TURIN, ITALY-- An Italian judge has ruled that copying software programs is not illegal as long as they're not sold for profit. Manufacturers responded with anger to the judgement. They think it sends the wrong message to Italian software pirates and further encourages them. The judge acquitted a local businessman of illegally copying various program software because the man used them within his own company and not for profit. A Microsoft Italy official says his company is extremely disappointed. That sentiment was backed by the anti-piracy Business Software Alliance, which claims the ruling sets back the battle to protect software. According to Microsoft Italy, the software industry loses almost 700 billion lire — about $350 million US — a year to Italian piracy. The lawyer for the defendant says the judge correctly used the 1941 copyright law, which stated that "someone who violates copyright in order to obtain a profit is penally responsible". He says his client copied the programs for his use and didn't sell them to a third party. But companies say the 1941 law is written badly and the 1992 decree interpreting and updating it isn't much better. Italy's parliament is considering new legislation clarifying the situation. Approval may take months to complete, according to officials. Copyright 2000 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved "http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/print.cgi?/news/2000/04/27/software000427" janet paterson 53 now / 41 dx / 37 onset a new voice: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/ 613 256 8340 PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario Canada K0A 1A0