The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is taking two companies accused of allegedly using illegal software to court and investigating more than 100 other UK companies suspected of similar activity as it continues to aggressively clamp down on wrong doers.
The BSA today revealed that it has started High Court proceedings against two London-based companies for allegedly running unlicensed software, predominantly Microsoft Office, on a combined total of 148 machines.
One of the alleged perpetrators is a Harrow-based global teleconferencing provider, the other a solicitors based in Tooting Broadway, proving that no companies are above the law when it comes to using unlicensed software, whether knowingly-so or not.
Figures from researcher IDC suggest that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of business software currently in use in this country is illegal, equating to global industry losses totaling more than 1 billion.
A reduction in pirate activity of just 10 per cent would generate an additional 2.8 billion in tax revenue as well as 34,000 new jobs, further highlighting a serious issue the BSA is desperately trying to remedy.
"The BSA takes a hard line against the blatant disregard of software licensing regulations," said Sarah Coombes, director of legal affairs for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the BSA.
"The BSA and its members are happy to advise and work with companies that need guidance with regard to software licensing and help them through the compliance process, so there is no excuse. Those who deliberate use illegal software and consistently refuse to comply can expect to face serious consequences."
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