Trading Standards in Cardiffhas completed its second stage of inspections to check local firms are towingthe line on software licensing compliance.
With the support of the Federation Against Software Theft(FAST IiS) Trading Standards has already been active in Cardiff using thepowers set down in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act to inspect businesspremises for illegal software.
This second stage has been held up as proof by thosecombating piracy that the pressure will not be eased on those takingintellectual property for granted.
“This sustained activity sends a clear message that we areall serious about tackling the problem. Intellectual property crime isestimated to have cost the software industry £925m in the UK in 2007alone,” said David Lammy, MP and minister for Intellectual property.
The Trading Standards campaign in Cardiff started last summer with lettersgoing out to local businesses which was then followed by inspections.
Dave Holland, from Cardiff Trading Standards, said that itwould continue to pursue those companies that failed to take software licensingcompliance seriously.
“Any businesses flagrantly breaking the law without regard willbe brought to account,” he said.
Julian Heathcote Hobbins, general counsel of FAST IiS, said thatthose found to be in breach of the law would find that enforcement would be theoption taken by the industry.
Join the conversationComment
Share
Comments
Results
Contribute to the conversation