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The complaints we hear about managers in the U.K. are enough to make us feel fortunate that our own aren't quite as bad as we thought they were.

I can't even imagine a manager in the U.S. in a company of any size suggesting that and getting away with it.

The way you handle it depends on your own perception of risk management. If you simply follow your manager's orders, what kind and how much trouble will you be in? Versus: if you challenge him, what kind and how much trouble will you be in then?

Over here, depending on which state's laws you're subject to, you MIGHT not be prosecuted if the software vendor found out. Courts in many jurisdictons are sympathetic to workers' needs to do what they're told in order to feed their families.

So on with the confrontation option. Most impersonal, most likely to resolve the problem, most likely to make the manager steaming mad: Tell your company's legal counsel about this. Once they know about it they have no choice but to act because they will be held responsible.

Almost as bad for you but not quite as likely to solve the problem: Tell your manager's boss. He may be incompetent, he may agree with your boss, he may tell your boss, he may not appreciate people breaking the chain of command, the list of less-than-optimum outcomes is quite long.

Most bureaucratic: Write a memo to somebody. Your boss, his boss, the company president, the corporate attorney (or do you call them solicitors?), your HR (personnel) department. Say that since you're a mere peon you don't presume to be able to interpret the fine print on software shrink-wrap packages, but you're awfully worried that the company could be on the verge of a terrible mistake. Say that you'll obey your manager's orders because you trust him to do the right thing, yet this issue might be worth review by someone trained in the law. No one will really be fooled by your language, but by putting this in writing you have evidence that at least you thought about what you were doing and asked for help. It will put your boss in the uncomfortable position of knowing that your memo is on record and he won't be able to easily weasel out of an accusation. He still won't be happy with you, but in some cases this paper trail could protect you from the worst of his wrath.

The obvious: Talk to your manager. I assume you've already tried that, to no avail. Explained to him what you've explained to us. That his reasoning is faulty and that he could be subjecting you all to the possibility of a crippling fine. That you all love him but nobody loves anybody THAT much.

It might help to get a couple of other employees scared witless about this so he'd hear it from more than one person. Especially if one of them is so scared that HE would talk to the boss instead of you having to do it. ^_^

Without knowing exactly how your site is structured (in terms of hardware/users/etc.) I can only give some vague insight on how I would approach the matter.
Write a detailed report outlining why a certain solution is required. Detail what would be achieved with a solution. Basically, prepare a business case and distribute that to all the relevant stakeholders. Hope that makes sense to you (sometimes I confuse myself ;-))

Present the facts to him in an email. Both the statement that the software is not free for commercial and/or government use, then show him the legal consequences of his approval of such implementation.

Then in the email ask for a directive from him of what to do. Make sure he states what his order is to you.

Then, you have these options:

- Do what he says and keep that document at home where he orders you to do it...if you don't think you'll go to jail for it...or won't lose your job.

- Take that order in print to his superior, if you think that they'll back you all the way after going over his head for telling you to commit a criminal act at their company.

- Refuse to do it, even if he orders it and risk termination for insubordination. However, you'll have documentation that you were being told to commit a crime and would probably have basis for tort (I don't know English law, but I assume it's fairly close to American) for improper termination.

That's the best I can think to do...cover your own arse in the best way possible for your situation though.

Good luck

Thanks mates...I am trying everything....

Will let you know which solution works....

Damn these managers

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Outline, in writing, the reasons a company should always comply to software licensing agreements. Explain how the long term best-interests of the company are compromised by violating the agreements, and you strongly encourage compliance.

Short of refusing to install unlicensed software or going over his head, that's about the best you can do.