Is all your company’s software properly licensed?
Trading Standards are now using powers to take criminal action against unlicensed software use.

Unlicensed use of software, including business software, is said to cause huge losses to the software industry. Recent estimates suggest global losses of around US$ 30 billion annually; losses in the UK are thought to be about £925 million annually.

Trade associations such as FAST (Federation against Software Theft) and the BSA have traditionally sought to stop illegal use of business software by civil actions. The Gowers Review of IP recommended that Trading Standards should be given powers to assist in the crack down on illegal software use.

In December 2008 Trading Standards used their new powers, for the first time, to inspect a company in Cardiff suspected of illegal software use. We can expect Trading Standards to increase their activities and to bring prosecutions in more cases in future.

All companies should be aware that use of unlicensed software may result in the company and its directors and managers being criminally liable for copyright infringement.

We recommend that all companies should regularly audit all software used in their business to ensure compliance with the law. We will be happy to advise what steps should be taken to avoid criminal and civil liability.  To find out more, click here .

For more detailed information please contact Peter Jennings or Pina Mazzotti