According to the Software and Information Industry Association's web site [http://www.siia.net/], two popular urban legends contribute to the spread of illegal copies of licensed software:

1. The 24-hour rule: This alleged rule is a myth. An automatic 24-hour evaluation period for downloaded software does not exist!
   
   
2. Abandonware: This alleged class of software does not exist. Even if a company has gone out of business or is no longer supporting a product, someone still retains the copyright to that software.

Be suspicious of any web site that touts this misinformation.