| Software piracy problems exist and have
been exacerbated in recent years due to IS overload, decentralized
purchasing, budget constraints, general user and corporate management attitudes,
lack of knowledge of the copyright laws, and now Internet access. Most
organizations have not managed their software very effectively.
Determining the extent of the problem is a time-consuming
process. The industry's response has been to form trade associations to educate the public about the copyright law and to aggressively pursue pirates. Some of the largest PC companies have set up their own in-house programs to combat the problem. Corporate exposure is increasing due to the need to manage more machines, software and on-line and Internet access. Civil and criminal penalties for copyright infringement have stiffened. As a result, trade association resources have increased significantly as well as calls to hotlines from unhappy employees due to corporate downsizing. When infringing software is reported, the company is at risk of embarrassing litigation for copyright infringement. The company will most probably lose as the copyright holder usually has a "smoking gun" based on reports from former employees or other whistle blowers. There is also the simple fact that no matter how hard the IS staff try, there are and always will be copies of software programs that cannot be validated by purchasing records. They come in from home, are created by otherwise conscientious employees trying to get their jobs done or just unauthorized copies by purchasing records. They come in unauthorized copies created by cost conscious managers and employees. Internet access only increases these problems as software is downloaded from sites worldwide. A software management program will reduce the risks from using counterfeit or copied software and help avoid damage from viruses and corrupt programs. By conducting an audit before infringement is reported the corporation will reduce its exposure. It is easy to inventory software programs on any particular machine. However, matching the software to the licensing documents is no easy task. Interpreting the variety of software licenses takes familiarity with industry business and licensing practices. Networks make the task much more complex. Internet access compounds the problem. Employers should set guidelines for when and how to download software and data from on-line services and the Internet. Most software vendors maintain on-line support and provide the ability to download bug fixes and program updates. However, one bad virus can wreak havoc throughout a company's networks and shut down the whole system. Firewall technology that controls access to and from outside systems can help. Information systems staff should work with management to develop policies that reduce risk but reflect the level of openness that suits a particular company's corporate culture. |