“We have evidence that your company is using our products in violation of copyright laws...”

This is usually the way a serious software piracy audit begins. Sometimes, rarely, if you are lucky, the copyright holder may be kind enough to contact you informally and request that you clean up your systems and correct any licensing errors. Sometimes they may simply send you a formal “cease and desist” letter. If and when you choose to ignore their “friendly” requests, they can, and will, turn you over to the audit teams. When that happens, your problems will become significantly more serious.

The copyright holder, or its representatives, sends you a registered letter that clearly states:

• They have evidence you are using their products in violation of copyright law,

• You must conduct and report an audit,

• You have thirty days to take action,

• You may not make any changes in your technology environment until the audit has been concluded,

• And more...

Once you have permitted the license non compliance issues to slide into the confrontation arena, you have also given the copyright holder the green light to use the law as a bludgeon to more firmly get your attention. Once the legal aspect come into play, you are on the fast track for serious fines and penalties. Want to know how you can avoid this scenario and not spend a bundle on yet another non-solution? Read on.