Enforcement Information
Software and content publishers know they are losing substantial amounts of money through non-licensed use of their software. Whether that use is intentional, unintentional or outright theft, they see it as piracy and have decided to aggressively enforce their intellectual property rights. They do so both individually and through associations.
Penalties can be significant, including fines, judgments, incarceration, and public humiliation. Enforcement begins with discovery, which is pretty simple for the enforcers; they simply pay a large reward to disgruntled employees who report their employers.
This page provides links to the major enforcement organizations’ Websites, and major software vendors’ policies. Virtually all software vendors have such policies and provide them on their Websites.
Business Software Alliance
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is arguably the most aggressive publishers’ organization enforcing software licensing. >> More information
Software & Information Industry Association
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) like the Business Software Alliance is an aggressive enforcer of software and digital media content. >> More information
Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft
The Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST) is an affiliate of the Business Software Alliance established to enforce licenses in Canada. >> More information
Federation Against Software Theft
The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) was established more than twenty years ago by the British Computer Society. FAST focuses on enforcement of software licensing in the United Kingdom. >> More information
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) enforces intellectual property rights for the entertainment industry. >> More information
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft is aggressively bringing legal action against those who counterfeit and sell counterfeit Microsoft software. >> More information
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop products are frequent targets of those you use unlicensed software. >> More information
Borland Software Corporation
>> More information
Apple Computer, Inc.
>> More information
