Many local companies are in dismay about the stern letters received from Microsoft warning them about a possible software audit with potential penalties. After the recent announcement by Microsoft to clamp down on software piracy, along with The Business Software Alliance's (BSA) "Truth or Dare" campaign more than 600 companies all over South Africa registered to legalise pirated or illegally installed software by the end of March this year. Although this 60 day grace period is over, businesses can still audit their software to avoid legal consequences. Local technology and licensing expert, Space Age Technologies (SAT), is offering to assist with the task of complying with licensing requirements by providing a discreet and independent software audit.
The Copyright Act (as amended by the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act and the Counterfeit Goods Act) makes it illegal to use, reproduce or dispense software without authorisation from the owner. In most cases, this authorisation comes in the form of a license that accompanies the software. Under civil law, the Copyright Owners can call upon the law to protect their copyright by requesting an 'Anton Piller order', which allows for the inspection of all computers at the premises as well as the immediate apprehension of computers with pirated software. According to criminal law, perpetrators can be fined up to R5000 or be imprisoned for three years, for each illegal copy.
"Licensing can be a real nightmare, especially as most small business owners do not know where to start or what to look for to ensure the legality of their software", says Mathias T"olken, Managing member of SAT. "They also do not know their options with regards to volume licensing. Starting from as low as five licenses, an organisation can materialise considerable savings when buying in bulk." SAT provides affordable Software Auditing Services to businesses, educational institutions as well as single users who can utilise this service to avoid legal actions and the embarrassment of public disclosure. An audit is a simple, confidential and non-compulsory process where a licensing specialist inspects PCs and available licensing documentation, assesses the situation and, if necessary, makes recommendations on the most cost-effective way to legalise.
Microsoft Product Activation is an anti-piracy technology that is being implemented in various Microsoft software products released in 2001. The Product Activation requires users of Microsoft software to follow a simple and anonymous process in order to activate their installation of Microsoft software. Users have the option to activate their software via the Internet or by telephone. This security routine does not solve the current illegal use of software, but will apprehend future dispensing of pirated software. In order to incarcerate the present illegal use of software, Microsoft has issued several random warning letters to organisations, warning them about the possible audit with legal consequences. These letters were send out to thousands of companies in South Africa demanding an inventory of all Microsoft product operating in the company. Businesses have until June 11, 2001 to present the declaration to Microsoft.
If you wish to find out more or want to arrange for a consultant to audit your PC, you can contact SAT by email at sales@sat.co.za or phone them at (021) 887 7292.
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