Software Licensing Compliance Grace Period Ends February 28, 2003
- 2.12.2003
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is the software industry's best-known "watchdog" organization, with members including many major software developers and publishers. The BSA conducts audits of corporate software usage and licensing compliance throughout the world and brings legal actions against companies that it has reason to believe are not in compliance with its members' licensing requirements.
The BSA has announced a "grace period" ending February 28, 2003, during which time companies with headquarters in Chicago, Boston, Albuquerque, Dallas, Louisville, Harrisburg and Seattle may obtain, without penalty, the software licenses necessary to bring them into compliance with the licensing requirements of the following software providers: Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley, Borland, CNC/Mastercam, FileMaker, Internet Security Systems, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network Associates and Symantec.
During the announced grace period, those companies that have failed to renew their software licenses or have exceeded the number of licensed users for their standard business software have an opportunity to get into compliance without an external audit and without penalties for unauthorized usage. In addition, the BSA allows companies that suspect they may not be in compliance to download a free software audit tool to help with the company's internal audit. The grace period does not apply to any company that has already received a letter from the BSA indicating that it is a focus of investigation by the BSA.
BSA has conducted eleven such "legalization" programs since August 2000. We can provide further information regarding the BSA Grace Period, and we would recommend that you consult an attorney before taking advantage of the amnesty program.
Michael Bevilacqua
