BSA agrees to extend truce deadline

The extension was granted in response to an overwhelming number of requests from companies asking for more time to complete their software audits. The Truce campaign allows companies to review their software and acquire any additional licenses needed to operate legally, without facing penalties.

The announcement this week also marks World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, an observance made each year on 26 April by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) commemorating the importance of protecting intellectual property assets such as software.

"We are giving companies more time to get their house in order," says Andrew Lindström, chairman of the BSA. "It is significant that our announcement falls on the same day as World IP Day as we aim to educate and drive awareness of protecting intellectual property assets."

"Even the most reputable and well-established companies are vulnerable to having unlicensed software installed. Licensing models, a general legacy of confusion regarding 'who bought what when?' and changes in personnel often contribute towards accidental breaches. The extension will provide companies with more time to conduct in-depth and accurate software audits," says Lindström.

Since the launch of the 90-Day Truce Campaign, BSA has sent out over 150 000 letters to companies across South Africa, set-up a dedicated campaign hotline and introduced a dedicated Truce campaign web page where visitors can register, download a free auditing tool and a best practice software management guide.

Lindström declares the campaign already a success. "We have seen a dramatic 100 percent rise in the number of calls received by the hotline, there have been more than 4000 hits on the BSA website and online registrations are being submitted continuously. Yet, still many companies have expressed that
the time it takes to complete an extensive audit of software, is lengthy and have requested an extension to the Truce."

The Truce Campaign is BSA's latest initiative in educating and assisting companies to adopt correct Software Asset Management (SAM) policies. Through SAM, companies can gain the full potential from software and experience security and productivity benefits. "We look forward to the cooperation of companies in using licensed software in their business as this is beneficial to the South African economy. In fact, according to an IDC study, a 10-point reduction in software piracy could add R12.8 billion to the economy, create more than 3 300 high wage jobs and generate more than R784 million in new tax revenues," explains Lindström.

Local companies can register online for the truce on software piracy by
Visting www.bsa.co.za or calling the tollfree hotline number 0800 110 447. Companies that qualify to participate in the campaign and implement corrective action to become fully licensed will be exempt from penalties relating to software violations occurring prior to 31 May 2004.

BSA has garnered support from key government agencies in South Africa including South African Chamber of Business (SACOB) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). "Innovation and the protection of intellectual property is critical to South Africa's continued growth as a knowledge-based
economy," says the DTI's Lana van Zyl, director of commercial investigation.

Adds James Lennox, CEO of SACOB: "Software and technology industries rely heavily on intellectual property rights legislation to protect creative works and inspire creativity and innovation. Without intellectual property protection, the incentive to develop new technologies or to invest in
research and technology are removed."

"Copyright and intellectual property right enforcement and initiatives such as this campaign will enable South Africa to protect creativity and intellectual property within the software industry and reduce piracy,"
concludes Lennox.