ShopFast slow on legal software
Announcement posted by Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA) 29 May 2002
ShopFast, one of Australias leading e-tailers, has agreed to pay $35,000 compensation and implement a comprehensive software licensing compliance program under a settlement with the Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA) and its members.
The settlement resulted after the BSAA obtained evidence indicating ShopFast was using a substantial number of unlicensed Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec programs and had inadequate procedures in place to prevent the use and installation of unlicensed software, BSAA Chairman, Mr Jim Macnamara, said.
According to Mr Macnamara, the settlement was a classic case of an IT-dependent company that should have known better and should have had preventative measures in place.
Information Technology is the lifeblood of ShopFasts business, yet it failed to manage one of the most important assets underpinning its business operations software. Businesses large and small need to recognise the importance of software in their online and off-line operations and implement management of these assets, Mr Macnamara said.
Lack of management of software is leaving businesses open to major risks of copyright infringement as well as viruses, security breaches or even hacking. In todays Internet connected e-economy, it is basic business sense to manage software, he said.
The ShopFast announcement comes six weeks after the launch of the BSAAs No Business Too Small Campaign. According to BSAA Chairman, Jim Macnamara, response to the campaign has been very strong, with visits to the BSAA Web site doubling, calls to the hotline increasing, and 300 businesses requesting a copy of the free BSAA Software Compliance and Audit Manual.
As well as its much-publicised legal actions against users of unlicensed software, the BSAA has a major focus on education and assistance in addressing software piracy and we hope more businesses will take advantage of the information, manuals and tools that are available to help them comply with copyright and avoid major potential risks, Mr Macnamara said.
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More information:
Toll-free hotline for public inquiries (anonymously if preferred): 1800 021 143
BSAA Web site: www.bsaa.com.au
The Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA) is affiliated with the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which operates globally in 65 countries. BSAA members include Adobe, Autodesk, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec.
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsaa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal online world. The BSA is the voice of the world's software and Internet industry before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights and cyber security; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA worldwide members include Adobe, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Macromedia, Microsoft, Symantec, and Unigraphics Solutions (EDS).
The settlement resulted after the BSAA obtained evidence indicating ShopFast was using a substantial number of unlicensed Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec programs and had inadequate procedures in place to prevent the use and installation of unlicensed software, BSAA Chairman, Mr Jim Macnamara, said.
According to Mr Macnamara, the settlement was a classic case of an IT-dependent company that should have known better and should have had preventative measures in place.
Information Technology is the lifeblood of ShopFasts business, yet it failed to manage one of the most important assets underpinning its business operations software. Businesses large and small need to recognise the importance of software in their online and off-line operations and implement management of these assets, Mr Macnamara said.
Lack of management of software is leaving businesses open to major risks of copyright infringement as well as viruses, security breaches or even hacking. In todays Internet connected e-economy, it is basic business sense to manage software, he said.
The ShopFast announcement comes six weeks after the launch of the BSAAs No Business Too Small Campaign. According to BSAA Chairman, Jim Macnamara, response to the campaign has been very strong, with visits to the BSAA Web site doubling, calls to the hotline increasing, and 300 businesses requesting a copy of the free BSAA Software Compliance and Audit Manual.
As well as its much-publicised legal actions against users of unlicensed software, the BSAA has a major focus on education and assistance in addressing software piracy and we hope more businesses will take advantage of the information, manuals and tools that are available to help them comply with copyright and avoid major potential risks, Mr Macnamara said.
#####
More information:
Toll-free hotline for public inquiries (anonymously if preferred): 1800 021 143
BSAA Web site: www.bsaa.com.au
The Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA) is affiliated with the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which operates globally in 65 countries. BSAA members include Adobe, Autodesk, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec.
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsaa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal online world. The BSA is the voice of the world's software and Internet industry before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights and cyber security; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA worldwide members include Adobe, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Macromedia, Microsoft, Symantec, and Unigraphics Solutions (EDS).