For 'Small Business Week 2004,' BSA Releases 10 Steps for Preventing Software Piracy; Business Software Alliance Offers Management Tips, Online Chat

Business Wire, May 17, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2004

Today, in recognition of the Bush Administration's proclamation that May 16 through May 22, 2004 is Small Business Week, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) today released a list of 10 steps that small business owners and managers can take to avoid the legal and financial risks of using unlicensed software.

Adapted from the BSA Guide to Software Management, these 10 steps will help small businesses establish and maintain policies and procedures to stay risk free:

-- Be a responsible software user. Develop a company policy on

software usage and have employees sign it annually.

-- Compare the number of software installations to the number of

licenses. Obtain any licenses needed for compliance.

-- Centralize software purchases. Funnel purchases through a

designated internal authority such as a purchasing department.

-- Ask that employees submit written requests for new software

and see that the software manager signs and authorizes these

requests.

-- Buy from authorized dealers, or through reputable application

service providers (ASPs).

-- Obtain original materials, such as manuals, registration

cards, license agreements and receipts with each purchase and

keep them in a centralized file or location.

-- Have a clear policy on Internet usage, including the uploading

and downloading of software, and enforce it.

-- Establish a regularly scheduled audit of the company's

software assets. Know what programs reside on your computers

and network at all times.

-- Visit www.bsaaudit.com for free tools and resources, including

the BSA Guide to Software Management and free software audit

tools that will enable you to audit the software on your

computer network to determine whether or not it is licensed.

-- Report software piracy, by calling 1-888-NO PIRACY or

accessing the online reporting form at www.bsa.org/usa.

"For many small businesses, proper software licensing often falls through the cracks, potentially exposing them to legal and financial consequences," said Bob Kruger, vice president of enforcement for BSA. "Even companies without a dedicated network administrator can follow these simple tips to ensure they are compliant."

According to a recent study conducted by the International Planning and Research Corporation, the U.S. software piracy rate is 23 percent. Software piracy causes serious economic effects, including lost wages, lost jobs, and lost tax revenue.

The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Internet Security Systems, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network Associates, SolidWorks, Sybase, Symantec, UGS PLM Solutions and VERITAS Software.