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CAAST And BSA Squeeze $269,548.50 Out Of Companies
SecurityProNews
Staff Writer
2005-05-31
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The Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST) and the Business Software Alliance (BSA), watchdog groups representing the world's leading software manufacturers...
...announced that eight companies agreed to pay a combined total of $269,548.50 to settle claims that they had unlicensed copies of software programs installed on their computers. In addition to the payments, the companies agreed to delete any unlicensed copies, purchase any needed replacement software and strengthen their software management practices.
The following companies settled with CAAST/BSA:
- Ensminger, Beck, Thompson, an accounting firm headquartered in Medicine Hat, Alberta, agreed to pay $20,000 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Adobe and Microsoft programs installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.
- Global Vehicle Systems Inc., a solutions provider to the automotive industry specializing in paint, tooling and automation, packaging, and assembly located in Tilbury, Ontario, agreed to pay $25,000 in settlement and compromise of allegations of unlicensed use of Microsoft and Autodesk programs.
- IP Marketing, a marketing firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, agreed to pay $52,371 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Adobe, Autodesk, Macromedia and Microsoft software installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.
- Labtronix, a developer of custom video game lottery and casino games headquartered in Drummondville, Quebec, agreed to pay $65,000 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Autodesk, Borland, Microsoft and Symantec software installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.
- MEP Technologies Inc., an engineering firm headquartered in Laval, Quebec, agreed to pay CDN $19,500 after a self-audit revealed that it had unlicensed copies of Adobe, Microsoft and Symantec software programs installed on its computers.
- Oberfeld Snowcap Inc., retail property advisors with offices in Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario, agreed to pay $18,000 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Microsoft software installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.
- Optima Analyse de marché, a geomarketing and market analysis consulting group headquartered in Laval, Quebec, paid $20,005 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Adobe, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec software installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.
- Universal Systems Ltd., an information technology company located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, paid $49,672.50 after a self-audit revealed that it had unlicensed copies of Microsoft software installed on its computers.
"These settlements demonstrate that companies of all industries and geographic locations are at risk of becoming a target of a BSA/CAAST investigation if they do not implement an effective software management program," said Jacquie Famulak, president of CAAST. "Companies should conduct periodic software audits, centralize documentation of software purchases and educate their employees about the respect for copyright."
"Ensminger, Beck and Thompson, remains committed to full compliance," said Curtis Ensminger, partner. "We took this opportunity to improve our procedures and educate our employees about the importance of respecting the copyright law."
"This unfortunate situation evolved, without our knowledge, as our business grew, and it is a lesson for any growing company," said a spokesperson for IP Marketing. "We have now implemented the proper controls and can be satisfied that we will remain up to date. We would urge all business owners and managers to do a self-assessment, and to tackle this potential problem before it tackles you."
"Labtronix, itself being a software vendor, is aligned with the CAAST and BSA mandate and is fully committed to compliance with all copyright laws," said Gérald Duhamel, president and chief officer of Labtronix. "We were unaware of the lack of sufficient software licenses and, as part of our governance process, we have since developed and instituted new processes that improve Labtronix's ability to monitor and control the installation and usage of software on our computer networks."
"As soon as MEP Technologies became aware that a software compliance problem existed, it took steps to improve its procedures," said a company spokesperson. "We have emphasized to our employees the importance of their obligation to comply with copyright laws."
"Oberfeld Snowcap Inc. understands the importance of protecting intellectual property," said Darrin Rosenthal, vice president, finance. "We identified the areas where we could improve our compliance process and implemented a comprehensive software management program."
"Our company is committed to using licensed software on company computers," said Martin Dalpe, director of Research and Development. "Optima Inc. has taken steps to strengthen its software management and we've also emphasized to our employees the importance of their obligation to comply with copyright laws."
"Universal Systems Ltd. has taken steps to strengthen its software management," said a spokesperson for the company. "We've emphasized the importance of copyright respect to our employees to prevent a situation like this from occurring in the future."
Software Piracy in Canada
According to a study recently released by International Data Corporation (IDC), 36 per cent of software installed on computers in Canada was pirated in 2004, representing a loss of CDN $1.1 billion. Globally, software piracy resulted in a loss of CDN $41 billion in 2004.
CAAST works to raise awareness of copyright requirements through education and enforcement programs throughout Canada.
Established in 1990, The Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST) is an industry alliance of software manufacturers who share the common goal of reducing software piracy. CAAST provides educational information to corporations, consumers, academic institutions and resellers about software theft and its implications. CAAST works with BSA, an organization that runs educational, enforcement and public policy campaigns to combat piracy in 80 countries around the world.
About the Author:
SecurityProNews is a daily online and email publication focusing on internet security issues.
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