Companies use software for different purposes they need it for. These need to be bought or the license for their used be purchased so that you can install them on the computers in your company. But because of the quantity of software and computers that you may be using, you might not be able to assess them all and some could have an unlicensed software installed.
There is an agency that is funded by different companies with interests to protect their software licenses that enforces and checks on companies if they are legally using their products. The BSA audits will send letters to companies they have knowledge of violating this. They will start an investigation and here are some guides to help you when you receive such letter.
Seek a legal counsel as soon as you received a request for audit from the BSA. They have lawyers at their disposal who are experts in copyright laws so you must look for one as well. Your lawyer must have an experience in dealing with complicated cases like these to properly help you out on the things need to be done.
Carefully cooperate with them than risk facing litigation at court. Ignoring the letter and hoping they will forget about you will not be a good idea. Instead, negotiate with them the best possible settlement. Enter a confidentiality contract with their auditor so that the information which will be gathered during the audit would not be used against you as an admission of guilt.
Purchasing licenses after the letter has been received will not help your cause. Even uninstalling them during the audit would be of no help either. License shortages are common in companies, even among those who were very careful. Investigate when and which unit has the unlicensed products installed and check its user. He may be an informant of the BSA so investigate carefully.
Preserve the evidences carefully and with confidentiality so that it will be protected from being discovered in case you will face litigation. Have an attorney to oversee the auditing procedures and supervise the IT staffs so that they will not give more information than necessary. An audit response solely prepared by your IT staff may be used against you if not properly prepared with the help of your legal counsel.
Consider implementing a software asset management or SAM if you do not have it yet. This would help you have updated licenses in the future which will help in keeping the BSA away from your company. You can send this as a compliance plan to them to show that you are serious in making things right.
When it is done, send the results of your audits but make sure to include a confidentiality clause to prevent them from using it on court. Wait for a response and send more information if request but with the confidentiality clause. Rebut and refute it if ever they send a response with untrue facts but do it in respectful way with firmness so you will not appear contentious.
Negotiate for a settlement that you could possibly able to comply. Do not agree with a high price of settlement as much as possible and seek for other options. Settle your case with a written release settlement agreement with a clause of confidentiality.
There is an agency that is funded by different companies with interests to protect their software licenses that enforces and checks on companies if they are legally using their products. The BSA audits will send letters to companies they have knowledge of violating this. They will start an investigation and here are some guides to help you when you receive such letter.
Seek a legal counsel as soon as you received a request for audit from the BSA. They have lawyers at their disposal who are experts in copyright laws so you must look for one as well. Your lawyer must have an experience in dealing with complicated cases like these to properly help you out on the things need to be done.
Carefully cooperate with them than risk facing litigation at court. Ignoring the letter and hoping they will forget about you will not be a good idea. Instead, negotiate with them the best possible settlement. Enter a confidentiality contract with their auditor so that the information which will be gathered during the audit would not be used against you as an admission of guilt.
Purchasing licenses after the letter has been received will not help your cause. Even uninstalling them during the audit would be of no help either. License shortages are common in companies, even among those who were very careful. Investigate when and which unit has the unlicensed products installed and check its user. He may be an informant of the BSA so investigate carefully.
Preserve the evidences carefully and with confidentiality so that it will be protected from being discovered in case you will face litigation. Have an attorney to oversee the auditing procedures and supervise the IT staffs so that they will not give more information than necessary. An audit response solely prepared by your IT staff may be used against you if not properly prepared with the help of your legal counsel.
Consider implementing a software asset management or SAM if you do not have it yet. This would help you have updated licenses in the future which will help in keeping the BSA away from your company. You can send this as a compliance plan to them to show that you are serious in making things right.
When it is done, send the results of your audits but make sure to include a confidentiality clause to prevent them from using it on court. Wait for a response and send more information if request but with the confidentiality clause. Rebut and refute it if ever they send a response with untrue facts but do it in respectful way with firmness so you will not appear contentious.
Negotiate for a settlement that you could possibly able to comply. Do not agree with a high price of settlement as much as possible and seek for other options. Settle your case with a written release settlement agreement with a clause of confidentiality.
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