The BSA acts for software publishers in lobbying and anti-piracy
activities. It often pursues companies using unlicensed software,
and it said that this agreement is a record settlement.
"BSA member company software was core to this company’s business
and yet it failed to manage this vital business asset," said Robert
Holleyman, chief executive of the BSA. "This action brings the
organisation into compliance with the copyright laws but at a
significantly higher cost than if it had software asset management
processes in place to begin with.”
The company concerned said, via a BSA statement, that it had
expanded rapidly and given one person the responsibility of keeping
track of software.
"This situation came about because we relied on a single
individual to keep us compliant and manage our software assets
across multiple-locations during a period of significant
expansion," said the statement. "The management were shocked at the
scale of the situation and recognise that by having software
management processes and tools in place this could have been
avoided.”
Holleyman said that the organisation often came across companies
which lose track of software licensing when they grow.
“Sadly it is the BSA’s experience that companies undergoing
periods of rapid growth, as in this case, can overlook software
licensing issues. Software is critical to this organisation’s
business, so it is vital to have genuine licensed versions to
ensure its customers and staff benefit fully," said Holleyman.
"This case clearly indicates that prevention is better than cure
for everyone."
The BSA had made a criminal complaint about the company's
behaviour on behalf of its members Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk and
Avid. That led to raids on the company last year by police, and the
firm's assets were frozen.
