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FAST IiS: A Legal Eye on Licensing - Resold Software: FLAG event 23rd JuneJun 19, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- With the UK in the grip of what many are calling the worst economic downturn in a generation the Federation Against Software Theft's (FAST) Legal Advisory group (FLAG) has organised a seminar to discuss the myths and realities of software licensing in the insolvency era. Corporate UK is undergoing a radical transformation with corporate insolvency on the up, while many others are restructuring having to let staff go. Many organisations are finding that they have software licences, which cost thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds, which are simply no longer required. Equally, sizeable companies which have collapsed will undoubtedly have enterprise wide licenses for software that cost millions of pounds to purchase in the first place. But for creditors, administrators, lawyers alike the question is are these software licenses assets that can be realised by the companies or their liquidators or do they have zero value? This seminar will examine the circumstances in which software licensors' rights may be considered to be exhausted and licence restrictions prohibiting assignment or re-sale unenforceable. Representatives from the vendor, the reseller and the legal communities' points of view will consider the transference of licenses, the business of reselling licenses, and the contractual terms and legal issues involved such as the exhaustion of rights. Hosted by FLAG member firm Lovells, Conor Ward, Chairman of FLAG and Lovells partner will conduct the event and chair the plenary questions and answers session. FAST General Counsel Julian Heathcote Hobbins commented, "The specialist legal knowledge FLAG has built up on software copyright will be shared with the end user community in order to help manage this complex issue and bring business benefits to firms at this time of economic turbulence." About FAST IiS In September 2008 the Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software joined forces to advocate distilled, simplified and unified messaging on 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; it was the first organisation globally to champion the professional management of legitimate software and protect publisher's rights. It aims to reduce, restrict and or lessen the incidence of unauthorised dealings in computer software. The Federation by way of the FAST IiS brand is a not-for-profit organisation that is limited by guarantee and wholly owned by its members. It 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. CONTACT: Luke Derbyshire, Spreckley Partners Tel: +44 (0)207 388 9988 e-mail: [email protected] Jared Foley, Spreckley Partners Ltd Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 9988 e-mail: [email protected] FAST IiS WWW: http://www.fastiis.org ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |