December 24th, 2007 by Martin Callinan
Illegal and unlicensed software installations continue to be a significant problem and source of revenue loss for software companies worldwide, according to a recent survey of software company executives conducted by KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm. In fact, 55 % of the executives estimated their firm’s revenue loss at greater than 10 % of total revenue.
Overall, in the KPMG study, 87 % of the executives claimed revenue loss due to unlicensed users. What’s more, 77 % of those surveyed agree with IDC (International Data Corp.) estimates that 35 % of software installed is unlicensed, leading to an estimated $34bn in lost revenue to the industry.
The KPMG study found that 64 % of software publishing executives indicated that their companies have a program designed to ensure customer compliance with software license agreements. And 36 % said that they do not have compliance programs. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in License Compliance, Licence Compliance |
December 21st, 2007 by Martin Callinan
The ISO SC7 SAM study group is inviting SAM Practitioners to provide feedback and influence the development of SAM standards.
Several major industry bodies are helping with this survey, including itSMF international who have posted it on their web site.
Make your contribution count! Are you involved in assessing any aspects of software asset management or related processes or service management? A new industry-wide study of SAM assessment has been commissioned by ISO/IEC JTC1/SC7 and your opinions are invited. Click the button below for your chance to input to international standards development
Access the ISO survey
Posted in SAM, ISO 19770-1 |
December 19th, 2007 by Matt Fisher
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) in the USA has a adopted a BSA-style rewards program. However, unlike the BSA’s whistleblowing scheme, the SIIA is urging consumers who fall victim to fraudsters to report them.
The SIIA said it was forced to implement the program because it doesn’t get enough anti-counterfeiting help from eBay and other online auctioneers.
Earlier this month, the SIIA filed a lawsuit against the prestigious Philadelphia law firm Fox Rothschild. The group claimed the firm is using illegally copied versions of commercial software on its internal systems. The SIIA said it learned of the alleged violations from a tipster.
Posted in Piracy, SIIA |
December 11th, 2007 by Matt Fisher
Microsoft announced this week that it has filed 52 cases against resellers in countries ranging from China to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom to the United States.
In 15 of the cases, Microsoft alleges that the software involved could be traced to a counterfeit syndicate that Chinese authorities and the FBI broke up this summer. Most of the illicit sales were made through e-commerce sites.
The software giant also unveiled a “Microsoft Buying Guide” on eBay as a tool for educating consumers about counterfeit applications. In addition, it maintains an information site with tips on how to detect pirated software.
Posted in Microsoft, Software Audit, Piracy |
