According to the software industry association, Nationwide
Accident was in the final stages of a software audit at the time it
was investigated, but had not yet made the necessary purchases to
ensure compliance.
Although the company was quick to realise its responsibility and
gave BSA its full co-operation during the investigation, the case
illustrates the importance and urgency of ensuring software
compliance, says the BSA.
"If a company is struggling to ensure software compliance we
would strongly advise them to come to the BSA for help," said
Siobhan Carroll, Regional Manager Northern Europe at BSA.
"If a company puts its hands up to the BSA and admits there are
problems with their licences or with their software then they are
effectively protecting themselves from blame and they are
protecting themselves from us investigating their software
licensing at a later date," she added. "We can provide advice and
support, as well as point them in the right direction to receive
guidance and support from organisations that can help them to
properly audit their software."
