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FAST: Trading Standards complete second phase of inspections in Cardiff on Software License Compliance
Mar 11, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --
Trading Standards officers in Cardiff yesterday investigated the software licensing compliance of a further Welsh business under new copyright powers over software licensing.
Having originally written to over 200 businesses in Cardiff in 2008, Trading Standards advised a forth company was visited, with inspection of its software estate.
David Lammy MP, Minister for Intellectual Property, said: "This investigation builds on the successful operation between Cardiff Trading Standards and FAST (Federation Against Software Theft) carried out in December last year.
"This sustained activity sends a clear and message that we are all serious about tackling the problem. Intellectual Property crime is estimated to have cost the software industry GBP925 million in the UK in 2007 alone.
"Industry-led organisations such as FAST ensure that consumers, legitimate businesses and their employees are protected from those that choose to break the law. This partnership between enforcement agencies and industry underlines the importance of working together in raising awareness, offering guidance and where necessary, enforcing the law.
"This approach is crucial when faced with IP crime in the workplace as many businesses are unaware of the problem and the damage it causes."
Section 107A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 was implemented in April 2007, with Gordon Brown announcing seed funding of GBP5 million in late 2007 for Trading Standards to enforce against copyright offences. This funding rose to 7.922 million in 2008. Trading Standards officers now have the duty and power to enforce against copyright offences. As such, Trading Standards may now work with education and support agencies such as FAST IiS to educate and investigate to promote software compliance so vital in the Digital Economy.
Cardiff Trading Standards' innovative campaign to advise businesses in the city on the issue of software use began in July 2008 with an educational mail shot explaining that Trading Standards will be giving this matter attention.
Trading Standards announced that they could and would inspect businesses, acting as a warning for all firms to check their software licence compliance and to get their houses in order.
Julian Heathcote Hobbins, General Counsel of FAST IiS said, "FAST IiS is working with Trading Standards to help educate 'Corporate UK' as part of our remit to aid businesses in getting the maximum cost effectiveness out of their software. We hope that all businesses that received Trading Standards letter, as well as a guidance document from ourselves advising how to ensure they're not breaking the law, have double-checked their software assets and can demonstrate compliance. If the investigations show that any are committing offences then the natural course of activity is enforcement. Software piracy seriously harms content creators and it enables firms to cut costs and compete unfairly with legitimate firms."
Dave Holland of Cardiff Trading Standards, added: "Trading standards have been working in cooperation with FAST IiS, using their technical expertise to help enforce copyright law and planning a programme of advice and education for our local businesses. We want to help business meet legal requirements and remain competitive in the current economic climate. However, any businesses flagrantly breaking the law without regard will be brought to account."
About FAST IiS
In September 2008 the Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software joined forces to deliver a distilled, simplified and unified view of software asset management (SAM) and software licence management (SLM) best practice to the end user community. The strength of the two reputable brands encapsulates a holistic approach to driving the professional use of software across the industry and the globe. The Federation Against Software Theft was formed in 1984 making it the world's first software anti-piracy organisation. The organisation is not-for-profit limited by guarantee and wholly owned by its members, and works on many fronts to promote the legitimate use of software and protect its members' rights through education, enforcement, lobbying and promoting standards and best practice in business.
For software piracy figures see: Fifth Annual BSA and IDC Global Software Study http://global.bsa.org/idcglobalstudy2007/
CONTACT: Richard Merrin / Jared Foley, Spreckley Partners Ltd
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e-mail: merrin@spreckley.co.uk
e-mail: foley@spreckley.co.uk
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