by Simon Quicke2 October 2008
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has continued to keep the
pressure on those failing to use legal software after announcing a handful of
lsuccessful cases in its fight against unlicensed products.
Three of the cases have ended up being settled and a further
one looks as if it could go to court as it pursues users that have failed to
use licensed software.
In one of the cases a six-figure settlement was reached with a northern-based
travel company after it was found to be using unlicensed versions of Microsoft
software. On top of the settlement the company has spent a further £100,000
buying legitimate software.
Settlements have also been agreed with Procurasell, a company developing
recyclable packaging, and with online marketing group, Webevents Ltd.
The BSA has also filed an application for a court order against Philips
Collection Services, a debt recovery agency from Durham, which is alleged to have been using
unlicensed copies of Microsoft and Adobe software on approximately 100 PCs.
"Not only do the settlements take significant chunks out of the
companies' profit margins, they also send negative messages to
staff and customers that these firms are willing to resort to unscrupulous
measures to save money," said Najeeb
Khan, Vice
Chair of the BSA's UK country committee.
He added that the latest cases should act as an example to the rest of
the market and indicate that the industry took the protection of intellectual
property rights.
