Is it illegal to use software for free?

Answer 1

Some shareware software allows to use it for so called trial version. Also some shareware software allows to use it during all time since it was installed, but you have read agreement to find out which conditions they apply. But the huge portion of shareware software does not allow to use it after trial period if it has it. And to have such software installed on your computer and use it is illegal.

Answer 2

There are five categories of software, purchase, OEM, shareware and freeware.

Purchase software is like Quicken, Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office. You have to pay for these. It is illegal to download it without payment, and it is illegal to share it with others. OEM is much the same, except that it comes installed on a computer when it's purchased. It is full featured and can be used on that computer. Next is trial-ware, it is similar to OEM except that it can only be used for a certain time period, usually 30-60 days. The hope of the manufacturer is that you'll like it, and then pay for the full product. Then there is shareware, which is free to download and even to make copies of and give to others. At the end of a trial period you are expected to purchase a license. One big difference between shareware and purchase is the cost. Purchase programs are usually in the $100-$400 range, and shareware is mostly under $50. Then there's freeware. There is never a cost to freeware. You can download it and make copies to give away. Once excellent example is OpenOffice, it is a full-featured Office product suite that does word processing and spreadsheets and presentations.

It is illegal to buy a copy of a program, then make a copy to give to someone else.

Answer 3

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