Government to crack down on illegal software [BT broadband office]

Government to crack down on illegal software

Posted 21 February 2007 at 9:51AM by Alexa Williamson in Doing business online

It's time for businesses to get their software licences up-to-date because from 6 April, section 107A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act gives Trading Standards officers the power to check companies' software licences without warning.

Trading Standards will no longer need a warrant to enter a workplace and inspect software licences. "Internet" theft will also face the same penalties as theft from a shop. And, if a civil action is brought against a business, it could result in damages greater than the cost of purchasing a licence for any illegally used software.

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Comments

1. At February 21, 2007 1:27 PM, Daniel Breston wrote:

Fortunately anyone that intorduces the concepts of Release Management, as per the ITIL recommendations, have no fear!!!!

2. At February 22, 2007 9:22 PM, Scot wrote:

I have serious concerns about being able to enter a workspace without a warrant - such power is liable to abuse. And if they start not needing a warrant for software licenses, where does it end?

It doesn't matter if you've followed ITIL or not - everyone should be afraid of this, as it's a violation of civil liberties.

I'm also concerned, because Trading Standards Officers have shown a complete lack of understanding when it comes to open source - http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article733264.ece

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