Software systems versus intellectual property rights: A moral and ethical challenge for higher education in developing nations

Higher Education (HE) institutions in most countries represent one of the most important users of computer systems. HE institutions need access to fast and reliable computing devices, not only to teach, but also for their day-to-day operations. These systems are not just hardware, but also software systems which are protected by national and international laws. HE institutions may be able to control their employees and their software needs, but it is far more difficult to control students. Their software needs to enforce the respect of intellectual property rights. Students need numerous software packages in order to successfully comply with the academic requirements, whether deliberate or not, some students rely on illegally acquired software systems for their academic projects. This type of behaviours has moral, ethical, legal and societal replications. HE institutions are seen as law-abiding entities, highly respected by their respective communities, applauded by industries, recommended by their governments, and yet their students may be jeopardising that status whether deliberately or by pure ignorance. This study aims at investigating why students engage in using illegal software systems, and why it is difficult to enforce the rule of law when it comes to software licences within HE institutions.