OZschwitz software crackdown claims five

Subject: OZschwitz software crackdown claims five Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:02 pm

Small businesses using unlicensed software are in the spotlight with the software industry's main body announcing it was investigating five Victorian firms in a crackdown on illegal use.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA), whose members include major software and electronics companies such as Apple, Dell and Cisco Systems, says the Victorian companies involved include an entertainment marketing company, scientific research group and manufacturing organisations.

It is urging Victorian employees to report unlicensed software use by offering a $5000 reward for information that leads to a successful action against a business.

Using unlicensed software is a criminal offence which can be recommended the Australian Federal police, although the majority of cases are settled before court action.

Victorian businesses were responsible for 50% of all settlements made by BSA last year, costing Victorian businesses $375,000 last year, according to BSA Australia vice chair Clare Wharrier.

One high profile case was a $50,000 settlement by Barrett Property Group Pty Ltd, trading as Porter Davis Homes.

''Software settlements can have serious financial implications for an organisation, which in the current economic environment of increasing interest rates and rising fuel costs is surely
a cost organisations would do well to avoid,'' Ms Wharrier said.

''Organisations will go to great efforts to protect their own copyrights and intellectual property, yet may think nothing of using illegal and unlicensed software. We often see companies claiming ignorance - the `we didn't know it was on our computers' defence.''

Ms Wharrier said software asset management software was available from BSA.

LNK

OZschwitz software crackdown claims five

OZschwitz software crackdown claims five

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