A PC system's "total cost of ownership" reflects all the costs of using the system: the purchase price, technical support, service, and everything else you need to get the most from your system. Standard installation and management procedures are key to keeping the cost of ownership down. Pirated software usually enters a company outside these procedures, driving up support costs. And with no manufacturer's warranty, you have no recourse.

Even when everyone in your organization makes a conscious effort to be on the right side of the law, viruses can still enter your system through counterfeit or hard-disk-loaded software from dishonest resellers. While some of these may be small glitches caused by repeated copying, others can be serious enough to wipe out data or bring down your whole network. It definitely pays to acquire software only from reputable, manufacturer-approved firms.

Software piracy is subject to both civil and criminal penalties, with fines up to millions of dollars and up to five years in prison for a first offense-up to ten years for a second. These are often public proceedings, with serious impacts on the offending company's reputation-and worst case, potential loss of customers. It's not worth the risk.