The UK Software Management and Licensing Conference
21st April 2010
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Press Releases
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28th April 2005 |
Federation Warns Directors Are at Risk from IT Departments |
- The Federation warns company directors that they risk being branded ‘software thieves’ because of the actions of their employees, including those in the IT department. - This warning follows The Federation’s recent discovery of over 5,800 illegal digital music files in a software audit of 2,500 PCs at a UK financial services organisation. Most of these files were illegally downloaded by people in the IT department – those normally tasked with combating the problem.This startling discovery comes in the wake of The Federation’s launch of Operation Tracker which is capable of watching illegal download activity. Dubbed ‘CCTV for the Internet’, company directors should be aware that illegal activities carried out by their employees are now being watched and any such activity will come back to haunt them – not just the guilty employees - as they may be ultimately liable. John Lovelock, Director General at The Federation, commented: “All too often IT policy enforcement and management is left solely to the IT department, in the belief that when IT staff say that correct licences are in place, they are. But directors must not allow themselves to be fobbed off by IT staff as they can also be the culprits. Company directors need to have a firm grip on their technically able IT staff.” With The Federation hot on the trail of UK organisations that try to get away with software theft, or are blissfully unaware through inadequate business management, directors need to wake up to their responsibility imminently before the business finds itself in court. Operation Tracker uses evidence gathered by its computer forensics experts to apply for court orders, obtain the relevant user information from ISPs. The Federation will not waive any rights to proceed with the necessary and appropriate legal action against targets. Lovelock concluded: “Most respectable company directors would not walk out of a high street computer store with a software CD stuffed up their jumper. Digital theft is exactly the same offence – it is against the law and targets will be caught.” The Federation’s warning comes at a time when the global music industry is stepping up its anti-piracy war. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recently announced it was launching legal action against 693 filesharers and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has started legal proceedings against 33 UK internet users accused of illegally uploading music to the web . |
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About FAST IiS
In September 2008 the Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software joined forces to advocate distilled, simplified and unified messaging on software asset management (SAM) and software licence management (SLM) best practice to the end user community. The strength of the two reputable brands encapsulates a holistic approach to driving the professional use of software across the industry and the globe.
The Federation Against Software Theft was formed in 1984; it was the first organisation globally to champion the professional management of legitimate software and protect publisher.s rights. It aims to reduce, restrict and or lessen the incidence of unauthorised dealings in computer software.
The Federation by way of the FAST IiS brand is a not-for-profit organisation that is limited by guarantee and wholly owned by its members. It works on many fronts to promote the legitimate use of software and protect its members. rights through education, enforcement, lobbying and promoting standards and best practice in business. www.fastiis.org
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