BSA member companies represent the fastest growing industries globally and we are committed as an organization to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA’s top priorities include enhancing trust and security in cyberspace, reducing software piracy, promoting strong policies for intellectual property protection and free trade, and educating the public about sound software management practices.

BSA's acts against unauthorized use and copying of member company software in 60 countries throughout the world. BSA's anti-piracy enforcement program has resulted in substantial reductions in the level of software piracy around the world and in new market growth for legal computer software. This program has also educated users and governments on responsible software management practices and led to the shut down of pirate Internet sites, illegal CD presses and pirated software retail outlets.

As the leading voice for the software industry in capitals around the world and before multilateral organizations, BSA’s policy department works closely with BSA members to advocate strong intellectual property protection, increased security measures, reduction of trade barriers, liberal use of encryption technology, and other policies to enhance and facilitate the continued success of the software industry.

BSA's public affairs department seeks to educate the public about software piracy by engaging in "positive" marketing, advocating the benefits of legal software and software management. Members have the opportunity to participate in numerous public relations campaigns throughout the year designed to encourage companies, often in a specific industry or geographical area, to evaluate their software licenses and ensure that they are legal. These campaigns frequently generate significant increases in member software revenue from companies who want to do the right thing, but were previously not aware that they were not in compliance.

BSA is a member-driven organization and asks that representatives of member companies actively serve on regional committees, the policy council, the board of directors, and working groups created to address critical industry issues. BSA actions are taken with the guidance and advice of our member companies. While BSA requires a larger commitment than some trade associations in terms of dues and attention from member companies, it is an organization that moves quickly and effectively to show measurable results on industry priorities.

Benefits of BSA Membership
Membership in BSA allows companies to participate in and benefit from anti-piracy, marketing and public policy activities throughout the world. These include the following:

• BSA operates approximately 50 hotlines worldwide for callers to seek information about piracy and to report suspected incidents of software theft.
• BSA initiates audits, conducts raids and brings lawsuits against suspected software pirates, working closely with law enforcement agencies to coordinate enforcement of criminal copyright laws.
• BSA engages in "positive" marketing and education, advocating the benefits of legal software and responsible software management.
• BSA offers free GASP and Tally Systems tools that audit computer systems so end users can voluntarily check software inventories against licensing agreements.
• BSA advocates for secure information networks, strong intellectual property protections, and other laws essential to the success of the software and computing industries. BSA conducts an annual CEO Forum in Washington, bringing its member company CEOs together to meet with key policymakers in the White House, Administration and Congress to advocate critical industry policy positions. Senior executives from BSA member companies engage in similar activities in other regions of the world.
• BSA conducts an on-going series of Forums for industry General Counsels, providing them an opportunity to share ideas and concerns with each other and to lobby policymakers worldwide.

Membership Categories

BSA currently has six Membership categories.

Worldwide
Worldwide members are the global leaders in desktop and enterprise software development. Membership includes participation in the North America program, the Policy Council, the Internet Piracy program, and the option to participate in the education and anti-piracy enforcement programs in Asia, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Latin America.

Policy Council
Policy Council members are software and hardware companies that work with BSA to advocate for laws, regulations, policies, and international treaties vital to the continued success of the software and computing industry. A strong and respected presence on global policy issues, BSA is often sought-after by ministers, administration officials, and policy makers for input and guidance.

Information and Network Security Council
Information and Network Security Council members are companies focused in the field of cyber security who wish to play an important role in formulating strategies to ensure a safe and legal digital world. BSA works with governments around the world to offer guidance on policies to increase the security of our networks and protect them from cyber attack.

Internet Piracy
Internet Piracy members are software developers who experience unauthorized distribution of their products on the Internet and who depend on BSA for the latest advances to combat this growing problem.

Regional – Asia, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), or Latin America
Regional members are software developers with region-specific piracy challenges or policy interests who choose to limit the focus of their activity. Participation is limited to one region at a time.

EMEA Associate Membership
This level of membership is for EMEA software developers who have global revenues of less than $200 million dollars per year.

For More Information
If you would like more information about membership, please contact BSA.