Copyright Law

Software Anti-Piracy Group Doubles Employee Snitch Reward

By soulxtc

Business Software Alliance (BSA) entices people who turn in their bosses for using pirated software with extra money for Christmas present this season, doubling normal £10,000 UK ($16,451 USD) reward to £20,000 UK ($32,902 USD) until the day after Christmas.

Just in time for the holiday season and those desperate for extra Christmas money amid the economic downturn, the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an anti-piracy group representing a number of the world’s largest software makers, has announced it’s doubling the reward for employees who in turn in their bosses for using unlicensed software in the workplace.

?Many cash-strapped employees are willing to supplement their earnings in the run up to Christmas by reporting illegal business practices, and the affects of the recession are making them even more likely to expose corporate wrongdoings,? said Alyna Cope, spokeswoman for the BSA UK Committee. ?London businesses should take note and make every effort to ensure that their software licensing is up-to-date.?

The BSA claims businesses in London alone install some £149 million UK ($245.12 million USD) worth of pirated software annually, and feels the additional financial incentive will encourage more workers to rat out their bosses.

In fact, as part of the campaign it conducted a survey that found 40% of London workers would be more willing to turn in their boss for a financial reward if they had been made redundant.

To strike a more ominous tone, Cope even warned that the BSA is already investigating a number of London area firms and that legal action could be imminent.

“We are already investigating several companies in London for using unlicensed software, and they face the prospect of legal proceedings,” she added. “Businesses should think carefully about their software use and avoid wasting money on legal action, financial settlements and the unplanned purchase of legitimate software.”

The £20,000 UK ($32,902 USD) reward expires after Christmas.

Stay tuned.

jared@zeropaid.com

Full post as published by ZeroPaid on November 30, 2009 (boomark / email).