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Software Licencing Audits
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Axiom Networking Solutions
would like to remind all clients that an audit can be requested at any time,
which is why we strongly recommend making sure all software is properly
licensed. An important fact, not known by many business operators, is that
directors of companies can be held liable for any illegal software - even if
they were not involved or are unaware of it. “Company directors should
therefore insist that management carry out regular spot checks and audits of
software to avoid costly legal action,” warns BSAA (Business Software
Association of Australia) Chairman, Jim Macnamara. (According to
Microsoft, in addition to substantial legal costs, risks faced by businesses
without a proper Software Asset Management policy in place include: damaged
reputations, subject to virus attack, ineligibility for technical support or
product upgrades, and software compatibility issues).
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The Business Software
Association of Australia (BSAA) advises that penalties for
licensing breaches can be high (reaching six figures in some cases).
Axiom Networking Solutions strongly recommends that all
businesses review their software usage as soon as possible. As the saying goes,
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." The best approach is to do
the work of becoming compliant in advance so you will not have to be worried
about how to respond in the event that you do receive an audit request. If
you’re not completely legal, please contact us for help getting the licenses you
need. Or, contact us if you’d like help with auditing your software licenses.
Links:
What are the Common Forms of Piracy?
Quick Quiz - Are you at risk?
For more information about software piracy, please visit The
Business Software Association of Australia or contact us. |
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Ä Penalties for software piracy |
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For a first offence, an individual can be fined up to $500 for each
unauthorised copy distributed. For each subsequent offence, individuals
are liable for fines up to a maximum of $5,000 and/or up to six months
imprisonment.
For companies
and institutions, the first offence can attract a fine of $2,500 for each
illegal copy made or distributed. For subsequent offences, fines can be up
to $5,000 per unauthorised copy made or distributed up to a maximum fine
of $250,000.
In addition to
these penalties, civil action can be brought by software copyright owners
against the individual or company where damages are unlimited. |
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