Check for Unlicensed Software in use in your business

It is estimated that the loss of revenue suffered in consequence by local and international software suppliers exceeds 1 billion. Not surprisingly they are concerned to recoup some of these losses.

The latest attempt to reduce losses is through a reward scheme offered by the Business Software Alliance (BSA). They are offering a cash reward of £20,000 (double the amount previously on offer) for information on businesses that are using unlicensed software in their systems.

The reward is targeted at employees of such companies hoping to persuade them to blow the whistle. "By doubling the incentives for informants, we are also effectively doubling the risk for businesses of getting caught out" says BSA regional manager Siobhan Carroll. "Hopefully this will make software licensing a higher priority."

"Businesses should carry out a software audit to assess their compliance" she added. "As well as discovering that they dont have adequate software licences, they might find they have too many licenses and be able to make cost savings as a result."

As regards the likelihood of employees blowing the whistle on their employers research by YouGov has found that 64% of UK employees would report illegal activities to an external body if they had raised an alarm internally but their reports were ignored. Disgruntled workers are even more likely to report illegal goings-on; 65% would consider reporting the company if they felt their employer treated them unfairly, and 27% said that large salary rises for the board or poor salary reviews for staff could spur them to act.

Corporate ethics are also a concern for customers 42% felt that if their customers knew they were using illegal software they would be less inclined to do business with them.

The BSA (www.bsa.org/uk) provides free "Health Checks" and software auditing tools, tips and advice to help companies ensure software compliance and implement effective software asset management.