Report in Journal Article Format (Survey & Questionnaires)

Teacher Trainees’ Intention in Using Pirated Software in Malaysia

Chong Xin Txin & Ting Suk Hua

B. Ed TESL IPGKS-UKM

Abstract. As Malaysia moves toward the computer era, the use of technology becomes a necessity and it is inevitable in our everyday lives. As a result, the nationwide use of software increases as well. Yet, little effort of research has been done in Malaysia on the tendency of using pirated software among teacher trainees in Malaysia. Hence, this paper reports on a study on teacher trainees’ intention is using pirated software. The study was carried out on teacher trainees at Sarawak Teachers Training Institute (IPG KS) in Miri, Sarawak and Dato' Razali Ismail Teachers Training Institute (IPG KDRI). It was found that Malaysians have a high tendency of using pirated software due to the unaffordable price of original software. Subsidies and persuasive advertisements can be an effective way to promote the use of original licensed software among our people.

1 INTRODUCTION

Software is an immaterial property created by an individual or a company. Hence, laws are implemented in certain countries to protect the owners’ rights towards the original software they created which is known as the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). For example, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are international organizations that enforce laws to protect copyrights of original software against pirates.

However, due to the different cultures and believes between countries, not all countries agree to oblige to the Western versions of IPRs which are mostly practiced by the First World countries. Countries such as Brazil, China and other Second World countries have tried to oppose the enforcement of foreign IPRs as they consider acknowledging foreign IPRs as being detrimental to their own development (Kai K, Kimppa, 2005). On the other hand, societies in the developing countries see the need to spread innovations in the society as being more important than granting IPRs (Steidlmeier, 1993; Spinello, 1995). For instance, Malaysia sees the importance for society to override IPR holders' rights in certain situation. Thus, pirated software are allowed in Malaysia to encourage the general use of computer and also for educational purposes in the year 2002 (Weckert and Al-Saggaf, 2003). Even though conflicts exist among countries regarding the issue of IPR, we should respect whatever method that is chosen by the countries.

Policy changes with time. Recently, on February 15, 2011 Malaysia has come up with a 2011 Special Report on Copyright Protection and Enforcement for the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA). In other words, our country Malaysia has raised her concern towards the issue of copyright and piracy with the development of technology. Software piracy has thus, become a popular issue of discussion. Yet, it is a complicated problem for the government to curb. For instance, in 2006, about 61% of the computer software used by Malaysians is pirated software. Malaysia has among the highest piracy rates in the world and has been listed on the United State Trade Representative's watch list. The government is trying to reduce the percentage of pirated software used by implementing different initiatives.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Gan and Koh and Van Belle, Macdonald and Wilson suggested that piracy is highest among young people especially of those who are studying in universities (Linda Spark, 2010). These students do not have affordable income to support them with the use of their desired licensed software, yet they often have the knowledge and tools to pirate them. From the survey suggested by Gan and Koh and Van Belle, Macdonald and Wilson, we may therefore place our target on universities' students to carry out our effort to reduce piracy in Malaysia. When considering about the ways to overcome, we will need to understand the reasons why computer users tend to use pirated software rather than the original licensed ones. Thus, this paper reports on a study that investigates the factors that successfully persuade teacher trainees in Malaysia to use pirated software. 

3 RESEARCH APPROACH

A survey has been conducted as the research approach. Survey forms are created using Google Docs and distributed via e-mails to students of Sarawak Teachers Training Institute (IPG KS) and Dato’ Razali Ismail Teachers Training Institute (IPG KDRI). Teacher trainees from both institutes are urged to give their full cooperation to respond to the questionnaire in order to obtain an effective result. Facebook is also used as a medium to provide links for teacher trainees to have easy access to the questionnaire.

4 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

Here we explore the questionnaire findings in relation to the appropriate variables indicated.

Percentage of teacher trainees who are using pirated software.

      Q: Besides the window you are using, do you use any other pirated software?

                  A: 0 – Yes

                       1 – No

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid		100	86.2	86.2	86.2
	0	12	10.3	10.3	96.6
	1	4	3.4	3.4	100.0
	Total	116	100.0	100.0

Fig. 1a

Fig. 1b

Fig. 1a & 1b Percentage of Teacher Trainees who are using Pirated Software

From the above analysis, it is obvious that most teacher trainees choose to use pirated software to complete their daily tasks. A result of 75 percent and 25 percent differences proved that pirated software is popular among students especially of those in their tertiary education. Hence, it is definitely a wise choice to place our target on universities' students to carry out our effort to reduce piracy in Malaysia.

Reasons.

Q: If the answer is "yes" for the above question, what is the reason that you are using   pirated software?

             A: 1 – Price of original software is not affordable

                  2 – I do not think there is any difference between original and pirated software

                  3 – I do not know where to purchase original software

     4 – When I reformat my laptop, the technician readily installed pirated software, so I

           just keep on using it.

		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid		100	86.2	86.2	86.2
	1	7	6.0	6.0	92.2
	2	5	4.3	4.3	96.6
	3	1	.9	.9	97.4
	4	3	2.6	2.6	100.0
	Total	116	100.0	100.0