The Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST) and the Business Software Alliance (BSA), watchdog groups representing the world’s leading software manufacturers, today announced that three companies agreed to pay a combined total of $88,262.20 to settle claims that they had unlicensed copies of software programs installed on their computers. In addition to the payments, the companies agreed to delete any unlicensed copies, purchase any needed replacement software and strengthen their software management practices.

Most of CAAST’s investigations begin with a call to its hotline, 1-800-263-9700, or with a report to the Online Reporting Form on CAAST’s Web site, www.caast.org. In these cases, CAAST and BSA contacted these companies through their attorneys and invited them to work towards an informal resolution. In some cases a software raid is pursued.

The following companies settled with CAAST/BSA:

G.T. Machining, a manufacturing company headquartered in Napanee, Ontario, agreed to pay $26,762.20 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Autodesk, Microsoft and Symantec software programs installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.

Promotional Products Fulfillment & Distribution, Ltd., a service company that provides fulfillment, distribution and call centre management headquartered in Whitby, Ontario, agreed to pay $26,500 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Microsoft programs installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.

Tai Pan Vacation, Inc., a provider of travel, entertainment, dining, advertising, motor vehicle servicing, real estate development and consulting management services located in Toronto, Ontario, agreed to pay $35,000 after a self-audit revealed that it had more copies of Microsoft and Symantec software programs installed on its computers than it had licenses to support.

“These settlements demonstrate that companies are at risk of becoming a target of a BSA/CAAST investigation if they do not have an effective software management program in place,” said Jacquie Famulak, president of CAAST. “Companies should conduct periodic software audits, centralize documentation of software purchases and educate their employees about the respect for copyright.”

Software Piracy in Canada

According to a study released by International Planning & Research Corporation, software piracy cost Ontario more than $210 million dollars in retail sales of business software applications and more than 13,000 jobs in 2002.

The study also revealed that the piracy rate in Canada is 39 percent, up one percentage point from 2001, for all business software applications installed on computers in Canada.* This problem costs Canada millions of dollars each year in lost sales and tax revenues, and Canadians bear the economic costs. CAAST works to raise awareness of copyright requirements through education and enforcement programs throughout Canada.