Macromedia takes stand against piracy

Vendor asks partners to help catch software pirates

Software vendor Macromedia is urging its channel partners to help it to fight against the use of illegal software in the UK.

The firm, which joined forces with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) in 1998, has claimed it is losing 26 to 27 per cent of its income in the UK because of software piracy.

Macromedia recently settled a case with retailer House of Fraser, which paid an undisclosed sum to BSA for its illegal use of Macromedia software.

Two other firms, Euro Car Parts and Prominent Pages, also paid £7,500 and £20,000 respectively to the BSA after being caught using pirated Microsoft software.

Deanna Slocum, senior manager at Macromedia, said the problem is very serious and is costing publishers more than £530m a year in the UK.

"Piracy is definitely spiralling in the UK and we are asking our channel partners to help us combat the problem by making sure their customers understand licensing and the penalties associated with using illegal software," she said.