BSA | The Software Alliance urges businesses to undertake regular software audits as reports of cybercrime continue across Australia.

BSA 2015 cases in review:

• 15 cases settled in 2015; with over $300,000 of illegal software found being used
• Western Australia recorded as state with the highest number of settlements for 2015
• Manufacturing industries accounted for the majority of settlements, followed by construction/proprerty industries and design 

Australia— 29 February, 2016 — BSA | The Software Alliance (BSA), the leading advocate for the global software industry, is urging businesses across Australia to be mindful of cybercrime risks as it recorded a busy 2015, actioning 15 cases where illegal software with an estimated value of $311,500 was found. 

The pipeline of leads on businesses suspected of using unlicensed software increased by 25 percent in 2015 with West Australian employees most disgruntled when it came to reporting reporting illegal software use in business. The state accounted for almost one third of settlements with Victoria close behind. 

“2015’s results are proof that Australians are still willing to take action against illegal activity, and demonstrate that unlicensed software use still remains a challenge in a wide range of industries across the country” said Roland Chan, Senior Director, Compliance Programs – Asia-Pacific. 

“In 2016, BSA will continue to build awareness around the benefits businesses will see off the back of implementing a robust software asset management (SAM) policy and practice. This ultimately helps them to maximize returns from their investments in IT, as well as ensure the avoidance of unnecessary legal and security risks that come with the use of unlicensed software.”

The BSA remains committed to its role in raising awareness of the risks to businesses when using unlicensed software and the damaging effects that software piracy has on the Australian IT industry.

Each business caught using unlicensed software was required to purchase genuine software licenses for its ongoing use, in addition to paying the copyright infringement damages penalty.

For more information on the rate of unlicensed software use in Australia, BSA or Software Asset Management (SAM), visit www.bsa.org or contact:

Michael VatalidisText10002 9956 5733Michael.Vatalidis@Text100.com.au

About BSA

BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.