The Demographic Factors Affecting University Students' Intention to Pirate Software

As the requirement to use computers increases, software piracy is increasing, yet little research has been conducted in South Africa to investigate the reasons why students pirate software. This paper reports on a study on the demographic factors affecting students’ intention to pirate software. The study was carried out on students at the University of the Witwatersrand using questionnaires. It was found that gender and an individual’s level of study had the most significant effect on intention to pirate, with academic discipline and level of household income having the least significant effect. Educational campaigns on the ethics and consequences of piracy are recommended.