|
The
Facts About Compliance Issues Affecting YOU
 An
overwhelming percentage of all software used today, both at
home and in the workplace, is out of compliance with manufacturer's
licensing policies. Why? Software is perceived as being too
expensive and the general consensus is that no one will ever
get caught. Why not copy software? Everyone
does it anyway, right?
Times are changing. Right now, anti-piracy watchdog agencies
supported by software industry giants like Microsoft have
launched nationwide awareness and enforcement campaigns to
combat software piracy. Two of the most noted organizations,
the Business
Software Alliance (BSA) and the Software
Industry Information Association (SIIA) are engaged in
campaigns to prosecute, publicize and embarrass violators
in their local communities. The BSA specifically boasts recent
company busts and gross copyright violators on their website.
This has become serious business. BeLegal encourages you to
browse these sites. It won't take long before you get the
picture.
Facts
About Compliance Issues
Can
anyone really get busted for using unlicensed software?
Why should I care about getting compliant?
How are these companies and individuals
getting busted?
Why don't we hear about this directly
from software companies?
What is UCITA?
Can
anyone really get busted for using unlicensed software?
Yes. There are a large number of documented cases regarding
the arrest and prosecution of software copyright violators.
For example, a consulting firm in Chicago was recently tagged
with over $480,000 in fines. Take note that the US Marshall
conducts these busts! This is no joke and it's happening more
frequently. You can read more about this and many other busts
on the BSA or SIIA website in their 'press release' sections.
top
Why
should I care about getting compliant?
Software manufacturers are increasing crackdowns on all sorts
of piracy. This affects everyone from large corporations to
small and medium sized businesses. They are aggressively going
after software counterfeiters as well as the system builder
that loads a ton of "free" software on your system when you
buy it. The consequences and legal hassles of being non-compliant
are just not worth the hassle. Individuals and organizations
have put off getting compliant for years because of the high
costs. That's why we came up with BeLegal's programs. We guarantee
you legal software at the lowest possible price. top
How
are these companies and individuals getting busted?
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) and software publishers
are increasingly advertising their message of anti-piracy
with programs like "Turn in your boss" and cash incentives.
It would take only one disgruntled employee to make an anonymous
phone call. In fact, many popular industry advertisements
actually encourage disgruntled employees to call an '800'
number to report piracy! top
Why
don't we hear about this directly from software companies?
Actually, we do. Most software companies are pretty clear
about their stance on software piracy and licensing violations.
Some say, however, that the software companies hide behind
organizations that they fund like the BSA and SIIA so that
they do not have to carry the full brunt of negative public
relations. Remember, software giants need your business. top
What
is UCITA?
UCITA stands for Uniform Computer Information Transaction
Act. This is a controversial state contract law that has already
passed in two US states, Virginia and Maryland. There is much
written about UCITA, too much to cover here, but the main
idea of the bill is to standardize the licensing of software.
The problem is that it allows for enforcement of software
copyright violations, particularly by use of the Internet.
For example, if the manufacturer feels that you are in violation
of their software license, they can use the Internet to disable
your software, without court approval! Check out the information
written about this on UCITA.com
top
|
