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by sharon

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If a company is using non-licensed software, who gets in trouble? the company? or the IT department? We have trouble trying to stay software compliant because of our bosses who keep pressuring us to install software that we do not have the licenses for. We've been able to stay compliant so far, but this is getting old.... Maybe I should have the bosses give me something in writing when they push for these installs? Any thoughts on the matter?

9 replies

by tfbiii2002

Usually they go after the company or entity who owns the hardware the software is installed on. It actually could depend on the license wording, but I've never seen a department get hung out, it's the company who has the money to pay fines and deal with lawsuits.

by otl

Both;

Company Gets the fine.

Installer gets the boot, or with proper documentation boss also gets the boot.

It is a lose - lose situation, shareware ok. Licensed software without a license, no way.

by geekgyrrrl

Sharon, ultimately it's the company who be responsible for paying the fines. It's a very slippery slope these days for businesses to participate in the use of unlicensed software.

At the very least, create a document that makes the boss who orders an install sign off on it, complete with the software title,software author, date of install, and so forth. My guess is that just a few of these signatures will make those bosses rethink their strategy, especially if you add, on the back of the form, the appropriate legal yada about software compliance. For this, you could visit: http://www.siia.net/piracy/copyright/law.asp

It might be a good move to remind the bosses that there are suits being brought against corporations all the time by software companies large and small. They have the law on their side and these days, courts are out to make examples out of wayward corporations. Running software out of compliance is dangerous; it costs much less to buy it outright than to be sued and pay potentially thousands of dollars in fines or judgements.

Best of luck Sharon. It sucks to be in your position, being ordered to do the wrong thing. I was there once, too, as I am sure alot of us have been.

Best,
Julie

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