BSA lifts lid on cost of underlicensing

Anti-piracy body's half-year results reveal economic impact on UK firms that have been caught using unlicensed software

UK plc paid more than £2m in legal fees for using underlicensed software in 1H 2010

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) pursued legal action totalling more than £2m against UK firms using unlicensed software during the first half of 2010.

Overall, the anti-piracy body’s EMEA-wide enforcement activities cost businesses across the region £6.5m in settlement fees and corrective software purchases.

The BSA’s half-year results also revealed that the amount paid out in settlements across EMEA was £500,000 higher this year than in H1 2009.

Sarah Coombes, senior director of legal affairs EMEA at the BSA, said: “One company’s use of unlicensed software was so extensive that a settlement of nearly £200,000 was agreed.

“In the current economic climate, businesses should not run the risk of flouting copyright laws and opening themselves up to potential legal and financial sanctions.”

Julian Swan, director of compliance marketing EMEA at BSA, said the findings reinforce the importance of clamping down on unlicensed software users.

He added: “We hope that these figures act as a reminder to businesses that if they are caught using unlicensed software, the BSA will take action."