 IchBinItch
Premium Member
join:2002-02-03
united state |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:10 pm
Heard of BSA?Has anyone heard of this company called Business Software Alliance? I just got a notice from them saying that they're coming over to evaluate my company to make sure that we are compliant with all our software license. This is BULLSHIT!! I have no idea where my stuff is. It's been so long since I've installed some of my programs that I don't even know where my originals are. This is an invasion of privacy if you ask me. I guess I better start using Linux on all my machines! If I don't have proof of license then it's supposedly like a 100,000 fine. :/ I guess I better find my stuff. |
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 subcultured
Premium Member
join:2001-08-21
Jamaica Plain, MA |
uh-oh... you've never heard of BSA and you don't have licenses for your software?! better start running now :| |
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 Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
Uh, how can they do this? Who are they? |
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 SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
Steve
2002-Apr-30 2:17 pm
The BSA - Business Software Alliance - is a trade association backed by Microsoft, Adobe, and most of the other big software publishers. They are aggressive about enforcing their software licenses and have vehement antipiracy programs. They are to be taken seriously, especially if you're stealing software from their members. Steve |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
Yes, but that doesn't give them the right to snoop around on your systems does it? |
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SpensergigPast my Prime
MVM
join:2000-03-26
Bradenton, FL |
to IchBin
They tend to come only in response to information received, and to focus on reasonably large companies.
Sound as though someone reported your company as running "extra" copies of things.
I don't have the details, but they do have some rights to audit your use. I thought they were focusing on forcing schools to do site licenses right now, though. |
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IchBinItch
Premium Member
join:2002-02-03
united state |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:20 pm
Oh I have license's! It's just that I installed win98 on two machines about 5 years ago. Where's my cd and stuff? You got me! I've just made sure that I have back-up. Nothing more nothing less. I better start hunting! |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
I found their site, and I see no information regarding where they have the legal right to do this.
If they knocked on my door I'd have to tell them to go the hell away, before they got a fistful of "get the f*ck out of my business*.
I run linux, and have nothing to hide, no pirated software, etc. I just feel that this is an invasion of privacy. |
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IchBinItch
Premium Member
join:2002-02-03
united state |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:25 pm
I'm with you MORK! This is crazy! I only have 5 machines in my office. They're so worried about piracy that they're costing me money just to make sure I'm on top of the situation. What do I do if I can't find my originals? I guess this means go out and spend a few more $$$ just to save my arse! |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
I'd call their office and ask about what gives them the legal rights to do this. Don't mention you're being 'audited'. Just say you're curious.
It might just be a voluntary thing. |
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SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
to Mark75
said by m0rk:
If they knocked on my door I'd have to tell them to go the hell away, before they got a fistful of "get the f*ck out of my business*.
Then the Sheriff standing behind them with a search warrant steps up and says "Um, excuse me?" I'm quite clear that they have the legal authority to do this even though the precise "chain of command" is fuzzy. You may not like it, but they're allowed. Steve |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
They aren't a government agency. I'd have to give my lawyer a call. I can really see how this could be used as a method of harassment, for competing businesses and the like.
It would almost be worth reporting myself and then contesting it in court. |
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to subcultured
said by subcultured:
uh-oh... you've never heard of BSA and you don't have licenses for your software?! better start running now :|
LOL... I was with a company that has audited by them a while ago. These guys definately mean business. said by m0rk:
I found their site, and I see no information regarding where they have the legal right to do this.
If they knocked on my door I'd have to tell them to go the hell away, before they got a fistful of "get the f*ck out of my business*.
They usually come with cops and a warrant. And they are exceedingly polite  Usually they come as a response to a tip, (almost always a disgruntled employee). In the case, that I mentioned above, there made been a layoff at the company and three months later the BSA showed up. The company paid a hefty penalty if I recall. |
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SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
Steve
2002-Apr-30 2:37 pm
said by paul123:
These guys definately mean business.
Yes they do. Companies don't pay multi-hundred thousand dollar fines by being bluffed. See this representative press release |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
When did an anonymous tip give police the right to search your house and belongings. I'm pretty sure they need more than a 'tip', for it to be legal. |
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 Crypto5
Premium Member
join:2001-01-07
Saint Charles, MO |
Crypto5
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:42 pm
It's legal. They have an army of lawyers, backed up by the software vendors own counsel.
You will go bankrupt fighting them in court.
Look, I've been through an audit. It's not a place you want to be. Even a SINGLE PC that doesnt have documentation can mean a $100K fine.
Oh, and as far as them not having the authority to do it, they do. You waived your rights in the EULA.
And they do usually bring law-enforcement along. |
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IchBinItch
Premium Member
join:2002-02-03
united state |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:44 pm
EULA? |
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SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
Steve
2002-Apr-30 2:45 pm
said by Orulious:
EULA?
End User License Agreement. I suppose if that you were a 100% pirated shop you could claim that you didn't agree, but that's a pretty weak defense. |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
Why do I get the feeling these guys are like prison guards at Aushwitz...
I'm tired of this crap, dmca, crackhead hollings bill, its getting absurd. |
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 thorgodI've modeled explosions, BIG explosions
join:2001-07-30
Las Vegas, NV |
to IchBin
I say go looking. At the very least, you could install Linux on the systems you're not too sure about.
It does sound pretty fishy to me, which makes it all the more reason to switch to Linux :P In fact, if someone where to audit me (although I know they wouldn't audit a HS senior who hardly ever leaves his room), I'd laugh at them :P "Oh, I'm running Linux, no illegal copies of stuff here!" |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
When is the audit? I have a spare copy of Windows 98 laying around with the certificate of authenticity if you need it, I'll never use it again. |
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IchBinItch
Premium Member
join:2002-02-03
united state |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:51 pm
Woohoo! Found 4 OS CD's! One more to go! |
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| IchBin |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:53 pm
Thanks Mork! But if need be I can install Linux on the last system. I actually should anyway! Don't think the computer illiterate in my office could handle it though. I'm the Guru for this office and I barely can. |
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SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
to Mark75
said by m0rk:
I'm tired of this crap, dmca, crackhead hollings bill, its getting absurd.
Most thoughtful people are tired of it too, but software vendors are really tired of wholesale theft of their products. We're not talking about some guy who takes a copy of Office home from work and would never have bought it in the first place. There are many, many companies that buy one copy of Office or NT or Photoshop and install it company wide. The MIS guy tells the boss "Even with the best volume discount plan we can get, it will cost us $70k to get legal". The boss usually says "Screw it". Maybe you can make the case that software shouldn't be so expensive, MS is a monopoly, etc, but there is no way to say "this isn't theft". The BSA is just enforcing a contract that every one of their customers agreed to. Steve |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
Very good argument, so it will be hard to retort. I'll give a shot though. The actual programmers probably see very little of the money made by their products. The only people losing money are the fat cat ceo's. Not that it makes stealing right, but it doesn't seem as bad. I see King John (software companies), I see the Sherriff of nottingham (BSA). Wheres our Robin Hood.  |
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IchBinItch
Premium Member
join:2002-02-03
united state |
IchBin
Premium Member
2002-Apr-30 2:58 pm
True Steve but, why me? I'm not illegal. So why go after the guy with 5 machines. The only programs we use are MS OS's and Office. Why not investigate the potentially bigger pirating company's! People that you might actually loose some money on! |
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SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
Steve
2002-Apr-30 2:59 pm
said by Orulious:
True Steve but, why me? I'm not illegal.
Is it clear that you are actually being audited, or does this smell like a blanket letter that hints at - but does not directly state - that you will be so. Does it use the word "amnesty" ? Steve |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
Oh, and they don't lose the most money from businesses doing what you said. They lose the most money from japanese selling copies of windows xp or whatever for 3 dollars on the street. And its hard to judge the amount of money 'lost', when you don't know if they would have bought the product or not. And the fine should be the cost of the product x the number of infractions. Not several thousand dollars. |
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SteveI know your IP address
join:2001-03-10
Tustin, CA |
Steve
2002-Apr-30 3:02 pm
said by m0rk:
And the fine should be the cost of the product x the number of infractions.
This is silly: who'd ever get legal under these circumstances? Why pay up front when the worst that happens is that you pay the same amount later? No, the "fine" is "first get 100% legal", then tack on the punitive part afterwards. Steve |
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Mark75
Premium Member
join:2001-11-15
Phoenix, AZ |
to IchBin
Ya I realized that after I posted.  This still reminds me of the whole Robin Hood story. |
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