|
| | Protect
Your Business from Software Piracy
According to a
study commissioned by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Software
Publishers Association, as many as 4 out of 10 software applications now in use
are pirated. If your company—or firm—can’t document the license for every
copy of each program installed on its computers, it is violating the law. The
BSA maintains over 50 telephone hotlines around the world (888–NO-PIRACY or
888–667–4722 in the United States) and a Web site (www.nopiracy.com)
to facilitate whistle-blowing. On behalf of its members—including Microsoft,
Novell, Adobe and others, the association actively pursues credible tips. Under
U.S. copyright law, people or companies caught with unlicensed software are
liable for damages either up to $100,000 per program or all profits dependent on
the pirated software or both.
Here’s what your
firm should do to make sure it’s complying with the law:
-
Appoint a
manager to be responsible for software planning and management.
-
Create a
well-documented software usage policy confirming your organization’s
commitment to ongoing compliance with copyright law. Clearly communicate it
to all employees.
-
Periodically
remind employees of their obligations under the copyright laws and company
policy—and the consequences of violating either.
-
Establish
procedures for obtaining and recording new software licenses.
-
Conduct an
"audit" of all computers on a regular basis, at least yearly. That
means counting how many computers the company has, determining what software
is installed on each and matching a license to every installed program.
-
Schedule
periodic spot checks of the software installed on the company’s computers. Investigate any unlicensed software found, determine who installed it and
discipline the offender in accordance with company policy.
-
Institute a
policy and procedures for removing software from computers being disposed
of.
-
Be familiar
with the licensing agreements for all the programs your company uses. Use
software metering and monitoring components on your network.
- Recognize software as an asset rather than an expense. Make sure that your
company’s software budget is sufficient to allow employees to get their
work done without stretching copyright law.
For more information about our information
technology services, call Claude Silverman at 504/486-7275 or
e-mail: csilverman@ericksenkrentel.com |
