An unnamed West Australian metalware company has paid $100,000 to settle an unlicensed software case with anti software-piracy group BSA/The Software Alliance.BSA has also paid its maximum $20,000 reward to an

informant – also unnamed  who dobbed the metalware company in for illegal

use of unlicensed copies of software programs from Adobe, Autodesk and

Microsoft – all BSA members. It’s the first time BSA has paid out the maximum

reward.

Apart from the $100K damages payment, the company involved has agreed to

purchase legitimate software licenses from Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft.

Said BSA’s Roland Chan yesterday: “While some businesses think they can

save money and fly under the radar by using unlicensed software, the reality is

they fail to consider the larger financial and reputational risks. This case

serves as a reminder to businesses everywhere of the importance of using

properly licensed software.”

Chan also urged more potential informants in other companies to speak up. To

score the full 20-grand, informants must agree to provide assistance and

evidence to support the information.