How to guard against dealing in pirated or

How to guard against dealing in pirated or unlicensed software Tony Chow

Who is the BSA? A non-profit organisation promoting the continued growth of the software industry through : - • • Education programs concerning IPR Public policy Promoting efforts to creating a safe and legal digital world • • • E-commerce (anti-spam) Network security Trustworthy and reliable computing Assisting Government officials in their efforts to protect IPR Founded in 1988 Presence in over 65 countries worldwide 2

BSA Members 3

BSA’s mission statement To promote a long-term legislative and legal environment in which the business software industry can prosper. To promote the value of the global software industry and a safe and legal digital world 4

Software Licensing – Basic concepts To avoid inadvertent sourcing of illegal or unlicensed software, it is important to: • Understand basic licensing concepts • • One computer/device = one license Understand different licensing options • • Retail version = shrink wrapped box • Corporate volume purchase • • OEM version = bundled with hardware Academic version = students and educational institutes End-users should practice Software Asset Management 5

Things to watch out for when acquiring software: • • Trust your instincts based on market price. • Source from authorized distributors and dealers Whether it is being sold as new or used, if the price is “too good to be true”, then it probably is. • – see BSA members’ websites or call their customer hotlines. • Be suspicious of products that do not include proof of authenticity. • Steer clear of compilations (software titles from different publishers on a single disk). 6

Other things to understand: • Understand licenses applicable to the software that you sell, particularly in relation to: • Transferability • (eg. Autodesk software licenses are not transferable, and transfer of Adobe software is subject to approval) • • Storage/ network use Understand that multiplexing devices do not reduce the number of licenses that your customer needs to acquire. 7

For example, with Microsoftware: OEM version: • • • Should come pre-installed on a new PC Product packaging often indicates “For distribution with a new PC only” License documentation includes: • Certificate of Authenticity (COA) – Windows Operating System COAs must be adhered to the chassis or body of the PC • End User License Agreement (EULA); original media; manuals; purchase invoice or receipt Retail version: • • Single-unit quantities at retail stores and by Microsoft resellers. License documentation includes: • Certificate of Authenticity (affixed to Retail Box spine) • End User License Agreement; original media; manuals; purchase invoice or receipt Volume license version: • Depending on size, some organisations may save money by participating on a volume license program. • • Through these programs, customers can track their licenses through on-line tools Often labelled “Not for Retail or OEM distribution” 8

For example, with Microsoftware: Some anti-counterfeiting features: Certificate of Authenticity bears a heat sensitive security thread that is interwoven into paper label Edge-to-edge hologram CD 9

When purchasing over the Internet: • • Install anti-virus software and firewalls • • Look for a trust mark from a reputable organization For Internet auction sites - Check the feedback section on the site to find comments about the seller from previous transactions Be careful when dealing with sellers based overseas 10

Useful websites • “Safe Shopping Tips” on www. bsa. org • Websites of some individual BSA members: • www. adobe. com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/main. html • www. autodesk. com. hk • www. macromedia. com • www. microsoft. com/hk/licensing • www. symantec. com/region/hk/ 11