Siponen and Vartiainen (2005)

From Copyright EVIDENCE

Advertising Architectural Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing Programming and broadcasting Computer programming Computer consultancy Creative, arts and entertainment Cultural education Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities

Film and motion pictures Sound recording and music publishing Photographic activities PR and communication Software publishing Video game publishing Specialised design Television programmes Translation and interpretation

1. Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare 2. Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)? 3. Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors) 4. Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption) 5. Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)

A. Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right) B. Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction) C. Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing) D. Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability) E. Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts) F. Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)

Source Details

Siponen and Vartiainen (2005)
Title: Attitudes to and factors affecting unauthorized copying of computer software in Finland
Author(s): Siponen, M., Vartiainen, T.
Year: 2005
Citation: Siponen, M. T., & Vartiainen, T. (2005). Attitudes to and factors affecting unauthorized copying of computer software in Finland. Behaviour & Information Technology, 24(4), 249-257.
Link(s): Definitive , Open Access,Open Access
Key Related Studies:
Discipline:
Linked by:
About the Data
Data Description: 249 students from three courses at a Finnish university during the academic year 1997/98.
Data Type: Primary data
Secondary Data Sources:
Data Collection Methods:
Data Analysis Methods:
Industry(ies):
Country(ies):
Cross Country Study?: No
Comparative Study?: No
Literature review?: No
Government or policy study?: No
Time Period(s) of Collection:
  • 1997-1998
Funder(s):

Abstract

Several quantitative studies have sought to determine the factors affecting the unauthorized copying of software, particularly in North America. However, we find no statistically reliable studies on the situation in Europe. In order to address this gap in the literature, we explored the attitudes to and factors affecting the unauthorized copying of computer software of 249 Finnish university students: nine hypotheses derived from the existing research on unauthorized copying of computer software or theories of ethics were tested. A quantitative questionnaire was used as the research instrument. The results shed new light on the characteristics of users and factors affecting the unauthorized copying of software

Main Results of the Study

  • There is no statistically significant difference in attitudes concerning the unauthorized copying of software between men and women, although men are more inclined to commit the act of unauthorized copying of software than women.
  • Users do not equate the unauthorized copying of software with physical stealing.
  • Committing the act of unauthorized copying of software and attitude concerning the acceptability of unauthorized copying of software are dependent.
  • Gender and one's conviction concerning the acceptability of unauthorized copying of software are dependent.
  • There is no dependence between having a job and committing the act of unauthorized copying of software.


Policy Implications as Stated By Author

The fact that the majority of Finnish computer users find the unauthorized copying of computer software acceptable while the action is banned by Finnish/European Union legislation should provoke serious contemplation about why this is the case. It is odd, and in any case cannot have positive consequences in the long run, if the majority of computer users regard an illegal act as legitimate. The same goes for professional codes of conduct that also prohibit the unauthorized copying of software.



Coverage of Study

Coverage of Fundamental Issues
Issue Included within Study
Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare
Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)?
Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors)
Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption)
Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)
Green-tick.png
Coverage of Evidence Based Policies
Issue Included within Study
Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right)
Green-tick.png
Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction)
Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing)
Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability)
Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts)
Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)

Datasets

Sample size: 249
Level of aggregation: Individual
Period of material under study: 1997-1998