Software Asset Management (SAM) Discussion

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has revealed that more UK companies have settled out of court following allegations of software piracy. Companies in London, South Yorkshire and East Yorkshire have each paid undisclosed-but “significant settlements running into tens of thousands of pounds” for using unlicensed software.

Licensing infringements included the illegal use of software from Adobe, Autodesk, Microsoft and Quark as well as the mis-use of ‘OEM’ and ’student’ versions of both operating systems and business applications.

Sarah Coombes of the BSA told reporters: “The BSA takes a firm line against the disregard of software licensing regulations.”

The BSA has recently targeted firms in Manchester and Glasgow and is committed to ramping-up anti-piracy efforts through 2008.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) recently announced an out-of-court settlement with Oldham-based ADT Workplace Ltd, following an investigation
into the alleged use of illegal software. The commercial interiors firm paid an undisclosed amount after the BSA received a complaint claiming the
use of unlicensed copies of Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft software on its PCs.”

This case is a timely reminder of the BSA’s current local initiative, supported by local politicians and business leaders, to raise awareness of software
piracy and educate companies about the associated risks. The campaign finishes at the end of June; after this period, businesses found to be using
unlicensed software will be at risk of investigation and legal action by the BSA following the 30th June 2008 deadline (The ATD case occurred before
the campaign began).

As explained by Najeeb Khan, UK Member Committee Vice-Chair, Business Software Alliance: “Businesses in Manchester need to start thinking about the
value of the software they are using day-in, day-out. Backed by regional business groups, software resellers and local politicians alike, we are urging
businesses to sign up to the campaign to audit carefully all the software installed on company owned PCs, devices and networks, to help stamp out software
piracy in the city.”

Tony Lloyd MP, Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, commented: “Manchester has a vibrant business community and a strong important pedigree in the
IT industry. Yet software piracy and the costs associated with it pose a serious risk to all those who work and invest in our city, whether through the
increased threat of computer viruses, or software companies not being rewarded for their innovation as the Business Software Alliance campaign quite rightly
highlights.”

Lloyd continues: “With the North West region accounting for more than 11% of UK employment and contributing 10% to UK GDP, it is essential for the city, the
region and the UK that we all do everything we can to limit the prevalence of software piracy in one of the country’s most important cities.”

A UK pilot scheme being launched in coming months could see Cardiff Trading Standards being the first to exercise new powers to clamp down on software piracy. The authority is joining forces with the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) to educate businesses about the legal implications of Section 107A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

The Act holds that any business, which unlawfully installs software for business use, is potentially at risk of a criminal investigation by Trading Standards.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has continued its crackdown on channel firms by issuing court orders against PC suppliers RedPC Services and Overclockers. The anti-piracy body suspects both firms of using illegal software and claims they have failed to cooperate with its enquiries. The announcement comes just two weeks after the BSA revealed it had reached an out-of-court settlement with security distributor e92plus The BSA claims it contacted London-based RedPC Services and Staffordshire-based Overclockers to complete a software audit, but did not receive satisfactory responses. The claims - which relate to the use of unlicensed Microsoft and/or Adobe software are expected to amount to tens of thousands of pounds and are set to be heard in court in early August.