What characterizes pirated software?

Pirated software is characterized by unauthorized use, duplication, or sale of copyrighted software. This definition underscores that the key issue with pirated software is the infringement of copyright laws, which protect the rights of software creators and owners. When software is pirated, it means that the user has accessed it without proper licensing, meaning they have not obtained permission from the rightful owners to use, distribute, or copy the software. This often results in legal consequences for individuals or organizations involved and undermines the business models of software developers by depriving them of revenue that supports ongoing development and innovation.

The other choices describe scenarios that do not align with the concept of piracy. Authorized distribution refers to legitimate channels through which software can be sold or shared, while legal use encompasses situations where users have adhered to licensing agreements. Lastly, software protected by advanced encryption does not inherently reference an illegal process but may refer to secure software that requires legitimate access methods.