Is there a direct correlation between unemployment and software license whistle-blowing?
According to a recent press release from the Business Software Alliance in the USA, the state of Texas has been identified as a Top Five lawless region when it comes to software piracy.
The BSA’s Jenny Blank is quoted in the watchdog’s press release as stating that: “…there are clearly a lot of companies in Texas who are not concerned that they are breaking the law and are willing to take the risks associated with that decision.”
But a law firm that frequently defends organizations against the BSA has highlighted that Texas is currently experiencing the highest unemployment rate for 22 years, and is drawing an explicit correlation between this unemployment and the rising number of whistle-blowing calls the BSA receives in the region.
Robert J. Scott countered the BSA’s statement: “High unemployment, and the BSA’s offer of up to $1 million cash reward for confidential information on unlicensed software, creates the perfect breeding ground for increased software piracy reports…”
The BSA, however, claimed in an earlier press release that financial reward was not the key motivator for the majority of whistle-blowers, with many of them choosing not to accept any kind of payment from the watchdog.
What is clear, and undisputed, is that both the number of piracy reports and compliance audits are increasing. So, whether the risk is aligned to unemployment or not, the need to get your house in order remains the same.


