BSA offers final week of software 'amnesty'

The Business Software Alliance has issued a reminder to UK businesses that they have until 26 March to return a completed software audit in order to escape legal action as part of the organisation's 'Detox Campaign'.

Any company that returns an audit will be protected from legal action - even if software that has been audited turns out to be in breach of its licence.

Siobhan Carroll, regional manager for Northern Europe within the BSA, said the scheme provides companies with a risk-free way of getting their software management under control.

The BSA is keen to allow that not all companies in breach of software licenses have done so knowingly or with any malicious intent of breaking the law. But all the more reason to take advantage of such an amnesty.

Complicated licensing models and a general legacy of confusion within companies regarding 'who bought what when?' as well as changing responsibilities within companies for keeping tabs on software use and licences often contribute towards accidental breaches.

The Web site includes a step-by-step approach to finding all of the necessary information to get started in SAM, from centralising purchasing and distribution; to setting policies and procedures; to creating and maintaining SAM databases.

"Software is a business productivity tool, helping businesses to create, profit and grow from increased efficiencies and lower costs. Businesses should manage their software as they would any valuable business asset," said Carroll.

Companies looking for more information on software licences and the BSA audit should visit the organisation's online software asset management centre Just Ask SAM.