You know this: “Using pirated software could harm your cash flow, damage your reputation, and result in data loss.”

So why repeat it? Well many folks seem to think it’s OK and some just “forget” what can happen to them if they use pirate software or they simply don’t manage their licenses correctly. This seems to be one of those areas where “it will never happen to me” seems to apply when it comes to getting caught or fined for not paying for the software you use.

The BSA have this to say about it:

Software piracy can ruin businesses. Using software for which you do not have a license could harm your cash flow, damage your reputation, and result in loss of all precious company data.
Using illegal software has serious, detrimental effects on organizations. Plus, companies forget that there is an incentive to keep on top of your software management – it can actually save you money!

In a recession it’s always tempting to “save money” but perhaps not keeping up to date with your license fees or copying a poorly protected program to all the office machines. But it’s all “theft” in the end.

There are many different forms of piracy. In this case, we are referring to the unauthorized use of copyrighted software. This sounds quite far removed from the daily demands of running a business, but using software without a valid license is an infringement of copyright and exposes your business to legal, financial, technical, and reputational risks.

In the end for businesses a fine would be bad but the PR hit would be much worse. If your business uses software it didn’t pay for and it get exposed what does this say about the rest of your business practices? what will the press say about your directors and staff that they don’t pay their dues or are incompetent?

Read the full article about the topic here: http://www.smeweb.com/technology/features/software-piracy-a-business-issue-070917.html

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