If you have listened to the radio recently, you may have heard commercials regarding the illegal installation of software. The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is a non-profit trade association supported by its vendor partners in an attempt to advance the goals of the software industry – specifically it promotes the legal and safe distribution of software as intellectual property. As companies have downsized and laid off employees, the BSA has been running radio spots encouraging individuals to turn in their employers and ex-employers who they believe are not in compliance regarding software purchases and copyright laws.

Now is not the time you want your current or previous staff members to turn your company in to the BSA. The repercussions to your company can include heavy fines, require you to become compliant at full list pricing, or legal action against your company. Plus the downside to installing software purchased illegally can be unwittingly installed viruses, no technical support from vendors, and possible incompatibility.