Students are instructed on how to use licensed software. Photo: Provided by the University of Science , Hue University.

Software piracy: A familiar problem.

In recent years, the use of unlicensed software has become quite common among a segment of young freelance workers in fields such as architecture, graphic design, filmmaking, and interior design. From AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3ds Max to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere, many specialized software programs can be downloaded for free with just a few searches on social media or sharing forums.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan (from Phu Bai ward), a freelancer who frequently uses pirated software, said that he and many other freelancers have the mentality of "everyone else uses it." According to Nhan, the cost of buying genuine software is too high.

"A package that includes Adobe software like Photoshop, Premier Pro, or After Effects costs between 6 and 8 million VND per year. For someone just starting their career, this is a significant expense," Nhân shared.

Similarly to Thanh Nhan, Le Duy Hoang (Thuan Hoa ward) said that he almost exclusively uses cracked software because "there are no other options." Hoang recounted that when he first started taking on small projects, his monthly income was only a few million dong, so spending money on licensed software was unthinkable. "I used to think using pirated software was just a personal matter, as long as it got the job done. But recently, I've seen stricter regulations and more robust copyright verification platforms, so I'm starting to worry. Some foreign clients even require proof of software legitimacy to avoid data risks," Hoang said.

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Copyright compliance has become a greater concern among young people after the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 38/CĐ-TTg, requiring ministries, sectors, and localities to strengthen efforts to combat, prevent, and strictly handle acts of intellectual property infringement nationwide. This includes focusing on violations in the digital environment such as: using unlicensed software; distributing pirated films, music, and games; and infringing on copyright and related rights, aiming to build a transparent and healthy business environment, enhance Vietnam's reputation in international integration, and promote a culture of using legitimate products.

Besides facing the risk of violating the law, users of pirated software also encounter many drawbacks regarding security and stability. Unofficial versions often pose risks of malware infection, data loss, or errors during operation, directly affecting product quality and work progress.

Given the situation, Duy Hoang said he has gradually switched to using licensed software in the form of low-cost individual packages: "At first, I regretted spending the money, but when using licensed software, I feel more secure because the publisher usually provides updates to ensure the software runs stably and avoids the risk of data leaks. At the same time, using low-cost individual packages, paid monthly at around 500,000 VND per software, also helps me reduce costs compared to buying a license for a whole year," Duy Hoang explained.

According to Thanh Nhan, many people also choose to use free alternative software as a way to reduce initial costs. Currently, there are several alternatives that allow downloading and using licensed software for free, such as Affinity for graphic design, Blender for 3D modeling and effects, or DaVinci for video editing.

Develop the habit of using licensed software.

Currently, many schools under Hue University are creating opportunities for students to access licensed software. Instead of letting students search for pirated versions on the internet, the schools are proactively cooperating with technology companies to support the use of software for learning and research.

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According to Associate Professor Vo Thanh Tung, Rector of the University of Science, Hue University, in the context of digital transformation and international integration, respecting intellectual property rights is not only a legal requirement but also a criterion for evaluating the professionalism of human resources. He stated that the university has strengthened cooperation with businesses and software publishers to support students in accessing copyrighted platforms for learning, research, and innovation.

“Students can use the email provided by the school to download and use licensed software for their studies and research. The school also hopes that students will develop an awareness of using legal software from their time in university. This is not simply a matter of technology, but also relates to professional ethics and the ability of workers to integrate into an international environment,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Thanh Tung emphasized.

Text and photos: DANG TRINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/thich-ung-voi-siet-chat-ban-quyen-166716.html