The international software market represents a significant business op

The international software market represents a significant business opportunity for U.S. microcomputer software companies, but illegal copying of programs is limiting the growth of sales abroad. If not dealt with quickly, international piracy of software could become one of the most serious trade problems faced by the United States. Software piracy is already the biggest barrier to U.S. software companies entering foreign markets. One reason is that software is extremely easy and inexpensive to duplicate compared to the cost of developing and marketing the software.

The actual cost of duplicating a software program, which may have a retail value of $400 or more, can be as little as a dollar or two— the main component being the cost of the CD. The cost of counterfeiting software is substantially less than the cost of duplicating watches, books, or blue jeans. Given that the difference between the true value of the original and the cost of the counterfeit is so great for software, international piracy has become big business. Unfortunately, many foreign governments view software piracy as an industry in and of itself and look the other way. U.S. firms stand to lose millions of dollars in new business, and diminished U.S. sales not only harm individual firms but also adversely affect the entire U.S. economy.

1. In this passage, the author’s primary purpose is to

(A) criticize foreign governments for stealing U.S. computer secrets
(B) describe the economic hazards software piracy poses to the United States
(C) demand that software pirates immediately cease their illegal operations
(D) present a comprehensive proposal to counteract the effects of international software piracy
(E) disparage the attempts of the U.S. government to control software piracy


2. The author’s attitude toward international software piracy can best be described as

(A) concern
(B) rage
(C) disinterest
(D) pride
(E) condescension