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 :-
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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
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Assisting Government officials in their efforts to protect IPR
Founded in 1988 Presence in over 65 countries worldwide
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BSA Members
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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
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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
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Understand different licensing options
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OEM version = bundled with hardware
Retail version = shrink wrapped box Corporate volume purchase
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Academic version = students and educational institutes
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End-users should practice Software Asset Management
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Things to watch out for when acquiring software:
• Trust your instincts based on market price. • Whether it is being sold as new or used, if the price is “too good to be true”, then it probably is.
• Source from authorized distributors and dealers
• – 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).
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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.
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For example, with Microsoft software:
OEM version:
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Should come pre-installed on a new PC
Product packaging often indicates “For distribution with a new PC only” License documentation includes:
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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:
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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:
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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
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Often labelled “Not for Retail or OEM distribution”
For example, with Microsoft software:
Some anti-counterfeiting features:
Certificate of Authenticity bears a heat sensitive security thread that is interwoven into paper label
Edge-to-edge hologram CD
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When purchasing over the Internet:
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Install anti-virus software and firewalls
For Internet auction sites - Check the feedback section on the site to find comments about the seller from previous transactions
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Look for a trust mark from a reputable organization
Be careful when dealing with sellers based overseas
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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/
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