The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a trade organisation representing the inter- ests of software companies, has been approved by BSA International to carry out raids at companies suspected of using illegal software.

BSA South Africa chairperson Alastair de Wet says that this is quite common practice in other countries, but not something previously done in South Africa. He points out that taking such drastic action is a last resort and not what the BSA would like to do, as it would rather have companies approach vendors for solutions.

He points out that software piracy does not only affect software vendors, distributors, local resellers and training partner, but it also affects the country, as these companies generate money into the economy. He explains that the more revenue these companies receive, the more South African taxpayers they can employ.

De Wet says that it is not the BSA’s aim to put companies out of business, but that it has a moral obligation to look after the companies that are following proper procedures and the law. He says that, in these tough financial times, it is even more imperative for the BSA to level the field for all companies.

The alliance enforces the use of legal software by following up on leads on companies using pirated software. These leads often come from software distributors and resellers, but are also received from disgruntled employees who provide detailed information that results in strong action being taken by the BSA.

De Wet notes that education is an important part of the work of the BSA and it carries out radio and billboard campaigns to highlight the risks of using pirated software. It has also held an awareness campaign around the benefits of using legal software.

“Companies that use pirated software are taking legal and reputational risks. The BSA will pursue these companies to seek damages and, in some cases, take measures against cri- minal activity. Customers may also no longer trust a company that is known to use pirated software, damaging its reputation and possible business opportunities,” he says.

This year, the alliance highlighted the potential rewards it offers to anyone that provides information that leads to a prosecution. The BSA will pay an informant a percentage of the value of the bust, up to R100 000. This has always been available, but is now being highlighted.

“Pirating software is a crime and the BSA is willing to reward informants that provide successful leads,” says De Wet.

The BSA has also launched a mailing campaign, sending emails to companies informing them about what they can do if they are worried that their software may not be completely legal. He points out that companies can speak to one of the BSA’s asset manage- ment partners, who are able to work with software vendors to deal with the issue of illegal use of software. De Wet says that once the BSA is informed and takes legal action, it is too late for a company to be proactive in combating the use of illegal software.

He says that the campaign has been success- ful, as the BSA has received several leads and is in the process of rewarding informants. However, he adds that reaction to the emailing campaign has been disappointing, as it has not received as good a response as expected from companies that want to assist in the campaign against the use of illegal software.