Despite the prospect of the recession beginning to level, many businesses are still cutting corners in order to retain cash by incorrectly paying software licences.
According to Ian Callens of pro-active IT service and support provider Icomm Technologies, Midlands based SMEs should be mindful of the consequences of using unlicensed software with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) mounting a large anti-piracy campaign against such businesses.
The latest sting by the BSA saw a fine of £10,000 given to a London-based Architects firm for using copies of Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk AutoCAD software on seven machines that were not covered by existing licence agreements.
Many businesses are relying on "copied" unlicensed software and this is a dangerous practice that can bring a business to its knees, says Callens.
He said: "The price to pay for using unlicensed software can bring businesses, who have managed to weather the recession, to the brink of collapse. Businesses in the Midlands should ensure that all software licenses have been settled or cease to use them. It is classed as piracy in the eyes of the law and with major financial repercussions the outcome is not worth the risk."
BSA research has found that just over a quarter (27%) of software in the UK is pirated and this costs the economy around £1.5 billion last year. With the economy in need of a boost, the eradication of unlicensed software use is now high on the agenda as are the penalties to those found guilty.
The outlook is not all bleak with organisations in the region able to offer businesses support with managing their software estates.
"There is support for SMEs struggling to handle their software agreements with payment plans and best-guidance advice," Callens continued: "The BSAs campaign is not just about grinding businesses to a halt but allowing for day to day operations to continue, as long as SMEs follow the correct guidelines."
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2009-10-14 (LM)