BSA issues software warning

Date: 3rd October 2008

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has sent out a warning to business start-ups not to use pirated software.

The advice comes on the back of the BSA announcing its biggest settlement to date this year, which resulted in a six-figure fine from a British travel company using illegal copies of Microsoft programs.

Although the largest in 2008, it is by no means the only one, with a host of small businesses falling foul of software piracy laws since the end of 2007.

Najeeb Khan, vice chair of the BSA's UK country committee, said: "Not only do the settlements take significant chunks out of the companies' profit margins, they also send negative messages to staff and customers that these firms are willing to resort to unscrupulous measures to save money."

The BSA also revealed details of ongoing action against other small firms for the alleged installation of unlicensed software on business networks.

Small companies have until October 31st to file a self-assessment tax return, or up to January 31st to submit one online.