To continue from above: The letters we send to companies requesting information on their software usage are aimed at raising awareness and encouraging compliance.
Because education by itself is insufficient to stop copyright infringement, BSA also investigates reports of software piracy from concerned individuals. When the allegations appear valid, we reach out to companies involved and ask them to cooperate with us. When necessary and appropriate, we file civil lawsuits to stop piracy; and we refer particularly egregious cases to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution.
Open source versus proprietary is a false choice. “Mixed source” is becoming the norm, and all kinds of software are copyrighted – which is to everyone’s benefit. Anyone who is concerned about the potential risks of software piracy occurring in their own companies can report it confidentially by visiting www.nopiracy.com or calling 888-NO-PIRACY.
Mike, we know the question in your headline is facetious, but honestly, the answer is no. BSA’s mission is to promote IT innovation and solutions, not any one type of software. BSA members provide all kinds of solutions based on proprietary, open source, and mixed source business models. The competition between different types of software will play out in the marketplace, as it should.
However, our members’ greatest competitor is illegal theft and usage of their products. Use of improperly licensed software is not only against the law; it also spreads security risks, undermines software vendors and service firms, gives users an unfair advantage in competition, and reduces government tax revenues at a time of intense fiscal pressures.
That’s why BSA and its members invest millions of dollars a year in informing businesses of all sizes about the many risks of unlicensed software, as well as the benefits of software asset management (SAM). For example, see www.smartaboutsoftware.org
The individuals who have decided to report software piracy to the BSA are more often than not, doing so because they know that it's illegal. Yes, some are motivated by the money but many opt out of the reward. They report piracy without fanfare and are content with simply doing the right thing.
If your company is using illegal copies of software, you can report piracy today at www.nopiracy.com or 1-888-NO-PIRACY.
Peter Beruk
Sr. Director, Compliance Marketing
Business Software Alliance
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Peterb.
Re: Is The BSA Purposely Promoting Open Source Alternatives?
To continue from above: The letters we send to companies requesting information on their software usage are aimed at raising awareness and encouraging compliance.
Because education by itself is insufficient to stop copyright infringement, BSA also investigates reports of software piracy from concerned individuals. When the allegations appear valid, we reach out to companies involved and ask them to cooperate with us. When necessary and appropriate, we file civil lawsuits to stop piracy; and we refer particularly egregious cases to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution.
Open source versus proprietary is a false choice. “Mixed source” is becoming the norm, and all kinds of software are copyrighted – which is to everyone’s benefit. Anyone who is concerned about the potential risks of software piracy occurring in their own companies can report it confidentially by visiting www.nopiracy.com or calling 888-NO-PIRACY.
Re: Is The BSA Purposely Promoting Open Source Alternatives?
Mike, we know the question in your headline is facetious, but honestly, the answer is no. BSA’s mission is to promote IT innovation and solutions, not any one type of software. BSA members provide all kinds of solutions based on proprietary, open source, and mixed source business models. The competition between different types of software will play out in the marketplace, as it should. However, our members’ greatest competitor is illegal theft and usage of their products. Use of improperly licensed software is not only against the law; it also spreads security risks, undermines software vendors and service firms, gives users an unfair advantage in competition, and reduces government tax revenues at a time of intense fiscal pressures. That’s why BSA and its members invest millions of dollars a year in informing businesses of all sizes about the many risks of unlicensed software, as well as the benefits of software asset management (SAM). For example, see www.smartaboutsoftware.org
$ Million dollar payouts for reporting piracy
The individuals who have decided to report software piracy to the BSA are more often than not, doing so because they know that it's illegal. Yes, some are motivated by the money but many opt out of the reward. They report piracy without fanfare and are content with simply doing the right thing.
If your company is using illegal copies of software, you can report piracy today at www.nopiracy.com or 1-888-NO-PIRACY.
Peter Beruk
Sr. Director, Compliance Marketing
Business Software Alliance