Q: What is the BSA?
A: The Business Software Alliance (“BSA”) is a trade group whose primary goal is to protect its members from copyright infringement otherwise known as software piracy.
Q: Who are the members of BSA?
A: BSA’s members include the following software publishers: Adobe, Altium, Apple, Autodesk, Aveva, AVG, Bentley Systems, CA, Cadence Design Systems, Cisco Systems, CNC Software-Mastercam, Corel, Dassault Systemes Solid Works Corporation, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Intuit, Kaspersky, McAfee, Microsoft, Mindjet, Minitab, Progress Software, PTC, Quark, Quest, Rockwell Automation, Rosetta Stone, Siemens PLM Software Inc., Stone Bond Technologies, Sybase, Symantec, Synopsys and The Math Works.
Q: What is the SIIA?
A: The Software & Information Industry Association (“SIIA”), like the BSA, is a trade association whose primary goal is to protect its members from copyright infringement otherwise known as software piracy.
Q: Who are the members of the SIIA?
A: The SIIA has hundreds of company members including some of the same software publishers as BSA like Adobe and IBM. For a complete list see:
http://www.siia.net/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=43
Q: What is a software license audit?
A: A software license audit is the process of determining if the number of software licenses purchased is the same as the number of actual copes installed on a company’s network.
Q: How can I avoid receiving a letter from the BSA or receiving a letter from the SIIA in the future?
A: Implementing a SAM program is the easiest way to minimize liabilities associated with software piracy in the event of an audit. Software Asset Management (“SAM”) is a business practice that involves managing and optimizing all of the software applications within an organization. Specifically, SAM focuses on balancing the number of software licenses purchased with the number of actual copies installed.
Q: What does a letter from the BSA or a letter from the SIIA mean?
A: The letter is a request to resolve what the Business Software Alliance or the Software & Information Industry Association believes to be copyright infringement, otherwise known as software piracy without formal litigation. However, be certain that the process is adversarial, just like any threat of litigation.
Q: Why did I receive a letter from the BSA or a letter from the SIIA?
A: A letter from the BSA or the SIIA is the result of either company receiving a tip from a source, that they believe to be credible, that your company is infringing upon the software licenses of one or more of their members.
Q: Who provides the BSA or the SIIA with information about my company?
A: Most commonly, the BSA or the SIIA receives information from former employees of your company that have recently been let go.
Q: Why would someone report me to the BSA or the SIIA?
A: Both the BSA and the SIIA offer rewards for information concerning possible software copyright infringements.
Q: Can you receive a letter from the BSA AND a letter from the SIIA?
A: It is not common, but in our experience, it has happened.
Q: Now that I have received a letter from the BSA or a letter from the SIIA, what are my options?
A: Once you have received the letter, you have a few options in dealing with the BSA or the SIIA. You can choose to ignore the letter and increase your risk of litigation. You can perform an audit on your own and send the results to the BSA or the SIIA which is both time consuming and costly. However, your best option is to call Dorman Bell. The products and services offered by Dorman Bell were developed by attorneys with over 20 years of software development and software license experience, and are uniquely designed to help you conduct a software audit and prepare an audit report for the SIIA or BSA that maximizes your software license entitlements and minimizes your potential exposure to both companies. Contact us today to see how we can save you time and money.
Q: What does the BSA and the SIIA accept as proof of ownership of a software license?
A: Ninety percent of the time, a dated receipt showing the purchaser, type of software, and the amount paid is the type of proof of ownership the BSA and the SIIA would like to see. However, the BSA and the SIIA will NOT accept a credit card or bank statement as proof of ownership of a software license.
Q: How does the BSA and the SIIA calculate a fine?
A: For each software license that you fail to prove with a dated receipt, the BSA or the SIIA will fine you the MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) times a multiple, usually two.
For more information, call us at (214) 736-7168 or visit our contact page and we will get back with you as soon as possible. Our extensive background and experience will benefit you and we look forward to serving you!