In any case, some programs require the CD-ROM or DVD to be in the drive in order for the software to start up. This somewhat protects against installing multiple copies of software on multiple machines, but does not take into consideration the illegal replication factories that can be held accountable for most of the software piracy. On the other hand, the "DiscGuard" technology from an Israeli company known as TTR etches a special signature, or "fingerprint" into the pits and lands of optical discs such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. Levin says that this signature can be read for authenticity verification, but cannot be reproduced by an unauthorized party (28). Another anti-piracy method simply puts holograms on parts of an optical disc that are not read by the laser. Current technology limits this method to being a mere deterrent, but eventually it may be possible for computers to automatically distinguish legitimate software from illegitimate software by looking for an authenticating hologram on the installation discs.
Most copies of illegal software are professionally labeled, but a little research will prove that it is not the correct label. Most computer users have committed software piracy on at least one occasion. There are generally three types of people who commit the crime: those who are unaware that they are doing something illegal, those who knowingly make unauthorized copies of software for their own commercial gain, and those who knowingly purchase or download pirated software. The people who are unaware that they are committing software piracy tend to believe that simply because the installation discs are not required for certain software to run, there is nothing illegal about installing it on multiple machines. Those who pirate software for commercial gain both make and sell unauthorized copies of the installation discs for the software, or they install multiple copies on multiple machines in order to avoid having to purchase extra copies of the same software package.