The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST), acting on behalf
of software company Network Associates, has recovered £51,000 from
an international IT services company for improper software use. The
company, which cannot be named for legal reasons, settled the case
to avoid court action.
The sum of £51,000 represents payment for valid licences and
compensation to Network Associates for past installation and use of
Cybercop, one of Network Associates’ high value security
products.
Julian Heathcote Hobbins, FAST’s legal counsel, said:
"I make no bones about it, using illegal
software is simply not going to pay. It just is not worth the time,
money and embarrassment of being caught. We receive over a 1,000
complaints a year on software misuse, often by ex-employees best
placed to know if a corporate is under licensing. This was no
exception.
“By the time we contacted the offending
organisation we knew exactly which PC's were running illegal
programs. With this sort of information it amazes me why so many
companies think they can get away with it."
Julian Heathcote Hobbins added that Network Associates opted to
keep confidential the name of the company involved to retain a
customer relationship.
The company blamed poor software management, although it
appeared to FAST that licensing was simply given a low priority.
The ex-employee who blew the whistle had raised the licensing issue
with the employer before approaching FAST.
