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Latest international research into
the level of unlicensed software has reported a 33 per
cent rate for Australia - up from 32 per cent in 1999.
| Chairman of the
Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA),
Jim Macnamara, said the research placed Australia
in the invidious position of being one of the few
IT developed nations in the world where piracy was
increasing. |
 |
"Australia
is at risk of attaining Third World status in terms
of its approach to intellectual property, unless the
problem is addressed," Mr Macnamara warned.
The BSA
conducts a worldwide study of unlicensed software rates
through an independent company, International Planning
& Research Corporation (IPR). The latest IPR study,
released May 16, found an average worldwide unlicensed
software rate of 37 per cent. This accounts for worldwide
losses to software companies of US$11.75 billion a year.
Asia
Pacific was the only region with an increasing unlicensed
software rate with its regional average rising to 51
per cent, according to the BSA's 2000 survey.
In Asia
Pacific, losses through unlicensed software increased
to over US$4 billion in 2000, with the worst rates in
the world reported in Vietnam (98 per cent); China (91
per cent) and Indonesia (85 per cent).
"Australia
cannot compare itself with developing nations in Asia
or Eastern Europe or Latin America where rates of unlicensed
software are also high. Australia's business software
piracy rate of 33 per cent is more logically compared
with 25 per cent in the US and 26 per cent in the UK,"
Mr Macnamara said.
"While
up only one per cent, the fact is that Australia's rate
of unlicensed software and use should be coming down,"
he said.
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Business
Software Association of Australia
The Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA)
is cracking down on businesses that are using unlicensed
software. No business is too small to be the target
of a software investigation.
If you find you’re not completely legal, call Dejai
and we’ll help you get the licenses you need.
What’s the
BSAA?
The Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA)
is focused on protecting copyrights and preserving jobs
in Australia through education, assistance and litigation.
Open Business - The
Small Business Licensing Solution
The Open Business licensing option is a simple method
for you to save money on a purchase of multiple software
licenses. With a low entry point of just five licenses
for any Microsoft product or combination of products,
the Open Business option saves you approximately 20%
of Estimated Retail Price (ERP), anytime.
Want
more information?
Simply ring David on +61 3 88230000, e-mail on
and let us help you get fully up to date with software
licencing.
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Licensing
FAQs
Intellectual
Property Rights
Software is considered intellectual property - the same
as books, music and scientific developments, to name
a few. Unlicensed software and unauthorised copies of
software damage software developers who, through copyright
laws, try to protect the integrity of what is rightfully
theirs. Innovation relies on incentives, and when the
creators of software programs are denied fair reward
for their efforts, there is no motivation to put in
the time and resources to develop newer and better products.
Why
is unlicensed software and copying a problem?
1. Unlicensed software and unauthorised copying costs
the software industry in Australia around $260 million
a year. This cost is not only borne by software manufacturers.
It affects local distributors and dealers, which are
mainly Australian companies.
2. software copying increases the risk of viruses being
spread.
3. copied software does not come with manuals or documentation
and is not eligible for support, which limits its useability.
4. There is no upgrade path for users of copies to gain
low cost access to upgrades and new versions.
5. Users of unlicensed and unauthorised copies of software
risk heavy penalties through civil damages or even criminal
prosecution.
What are the penalties
for unlicensed and unauthorised copies of software?
For each unauthorised copy made or distributed by an
individual, fines of up to a maximum of $60,500 and/or
sentences of up to five years imprisonment may be imposed.
For companies, fines for each unauthorised copy made
or distributed can be up to a maximum of $302,500. Management
of a company may also be personally liable if they authorised
the infringement, knew or reasonably ought to have known
that the infringement was occurring, and failed to take
reasonable steps to prevent it. In addition, civil action
can be brought by software copyright owners against
companies or individuals where damages are unlimited.
Large
or small, every organization needs to guard against
unlicensed and unauthorised copies of software. Peace
of mind comes from knowing that all software used is
fully licensed.
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