About the business software alliance bsa audit defense. In addition, david has helped clients to successfully complete applications with the michigan minority business development council and has defended claims made by the business software alliance. Apply to alliance manager, android developer, systems administrator and more. For those who have received a demand letter from the business software alliance, here is something you should know. They are known as the software cops or software police to many, but they. Bsa the software alliance spends substantial resources marketing to disgruntled employees and vendors to encourage them to rat on your business. Apr 25, 2014 the business software alliance bsa is not law enforcement. Business software alliance asks britons to become paid. Kimball kla, access additional case information on pacer. Represented recording artist in connection with recording agreement with a major international record label.
The business software alliance is not afraid to audit your companys software assets and make you pay. The type of audit depends on the circumstances and can be done by the business or conducted by an outside party. What the business software alliance audit letter does typepad. Victoria espinel leads bsa the software alliance to. Our lawyers have the legal and technical expertise to defend your business through. The business software alliance is a trade group consisting of some of the largest software companies on the planet. As a result, i started law school with a strong understanding of business contracts, employment law matters, wage and hour concerns, and independent contractor law. Bsa audit lawyer, bsa audit letter, contact kirkpatrick. Microsofts cortana is primarily focused on its business software. Dale thompson dba appletree solutions and the business software alliance.
The employment law alliance is a comprehensive global network of local labor, employment and immigration attorneys that delivers timely solutions to employment law matters wherever business takes place. How to respond to a bsa or siia software audit letter without an. Bsas members include the largest software publishing companies in the world and most notably, microsoft, adobe, symantec, intuit, autodesk and mcafee. Keelin hargadon businesses sometimes find themselves the recipients of a letter from the business software alliance bsa demanding an audit and accounting of software installed on company. Ive actually come to know the lawyers from major law firms as relatively thorough working members of our profession. Mar 12, 2016 the ultimate guide to saving your business money by handling your software compliance case without a lawyer this is a general legal guide to help both small and midsized businesses. If you violate the terms of the license, or make unauthorized copies, you.
How to handle business software alliance audit demand letters. When your business decides to share resources and knowledge and help each other in a project, a strategic alliance agreement solidifies your plans by spelling out the terms of agreement for both parties. Minden gross llp has lawyers who have experience with bsa, and we can help. Accused of software piracy by bsa the software alliance. Dec 01, 2009 the speaker following me was the lawyer who ran the hungarian division of the business software alliance. Home and business lawyer deluxe 2006 is a full legal library, for all your business and financial needs. He specializes in business law, corporate law and small claims court. Under the promise of confidentiality and without any accountability for false reporting, these vindictive complaints may cause injury to you, your business, and your business reputation. By connecting lawyers, nonprofits, and communities, we help organizations to develop and provide housing, stimulate economic opportunity, improve urban health and education. For the last ten years, i have been representing enduser companies nationally in software audit matters initiated by major software publishers including microsoft, adobe, autodesk, ibm and their trade groups.
Jan 06, 2014 anyone have recent experience dealing with the business software alliance bsa. There are two common questions that arise from the business. However, with a letter currently in our possession, the attorneys at fps have. Im a faculty member at a public university which the business software alliance contacted in a bulk mailing last fall. Select the best structure for your business, obtain licenses and permits, buy or sell a franchise, file required documents, and minimize the chances of legal disputes. The software alliance, also known as bsa, is a trade group established by microsoft corporation in 1988 and representing a number of the worlds largest software makers and is a member of the international intellectual property alliance. To schedule an appointment with an irvine, california, corporate lawyer, feel free to call our office at 9498878877 or simply complete the email form located on this website. Lawyers alliance for new york is the leading provider of business and transactional legal services for nonprofit organizations and social enterprises that are improving the quality of life in new york city neighborhoods. Packed with more than 230 customizable documents and extensive additional. They are known as the software cops or software police to many, but they are not law enforcement. For new ventures, a business lawyer can help with business formation decisions, including selecting the proper business form, such a partnership, llc or corporation, or addressing financial compliance issues when raising capital. Its principal activity is trying to stop infringement. Stupidly, our it department invited them in to explain.
Feb 27, 2014 i am an intellectual property attorney who has handled more than 230 business software alliance audit matters for small to mediumsized companies. In 2008, the business software alliance received more than 2,500 reports of illicit use of software by companies in the u. It includes the necessary forms and documents you need, to handle the legalities of. Jan 11, 2017 the vast majority of bsa the software alliance s focus today is related to data policy, or the rules around data acquisition and ownership. When you buy software to use on the computer it comes with a license. Software audits suck especially when dealing with large trade groups such as the bsa business software alliance. The publishers and their trade associations have experienced software piracy attorneys, and so should you. Business software alliance company the bsa was created by microsoft in 1988 in an attempt to combat software theft.
Lawyers alliance for new york is the leading provider of business and transactional legal services for nonprofit organizations and social enterprises that are improving the quality of life in new york city. Iris xu business profile business software alliance. In our experience, the bsa has referred to the appletree case adobe systems incorporated v. The business software alliance has issued its annual global software piracy report with some positive words for canada. Represented software vendor with application service provider services in the field of ecommerce fulfillment. Consulting an experienced lawyer is recommended in cases like this.
Legal solutions across borders alliance of business lawyers abl is a leading network of international business law firms advising. What the business software alliance audit letter does the letter goes on to state that the recipient has been identified as somebody that could be using those various pieces of software without proper licensing, as a result, they say that that person receiving the letter may be in violation of the act in the united states. Bsa the software alliance is a private trade organization with absolutely no independent law enforcement authority. Baseline talked to the experts whove directly dealt with the business software alliance, and weve compiled an 8 step guideline process for handling the aftermath of receiving an intimidating audit. The bsas typical approach is to, at the first instance, demand businessowners to complete a voluntary selfaudit, where business owners must produce a full index of all bsamember software running on. Software piracy is in resurgence, with new safeguards eroded. Represented recording artist in connection with recording agreement with a major.
The business software alliance bsa is not law enforcement. Microsoft cal exchange and window server licenses remaining a hot issue. Irvine business lawyers compare top rated california. How to respond to a bsa or siia software audit letter without. Our members create innovative software that improves peoples lives and grows the economy. The electronic transaction association announced thursday that it is bringing in the general counsel from. Victoria espinel leads bsa the software alliance to advocate.
If you violate the terms of the license, or make unauthorized copies, you might get a letter from the bsa seeking to audit your business. Business software alliance bsa audits by attorney steve. Find contacts direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Have you received an audit letter from bsa business. Acting either through an internal enforcement attorney or an outside law firm, bsa will send a letter to the target company requesting a selfaudit. How to settle hiring an attorney to help negotiate the settlement is highly recommended. Keelin hargadon businesses sometimes find themselves the recipients of a letter from the business software alliance bsa demanding an audit and accounting of software installed on company computers. How to respond to a bsa or siia software audit letter. What i learned in the last 10 years defending bsa the. How to handle business software alliance audit demand.
Clinton township lawyers compare top attorneys in clinton. Jodie kelley will become the ceo of the electronic transactions association on sept. The ultimate guide to saving your business money by handling your software compliance case without a lawyer this is a general. I have a strong background working with many service firms and software technology development organizations, first as a competitor, then as a consultant software developer, and now. According to the business software alliance, 57% of the worlds computer users admit to using pirate software. Software selfaudit requests from the business software alliance bsa we have experience advising and representing businesses who receive a selfaudit request from vik tenekjian of gilberts llp on. Business software alliance and microsoft corporation. Learn about bsas work on responsible ai, protecting consumer privacy, strengthening cybersecurity, promoting crossborder data, and helping people train for the future. Prior to practicing law, david had nearly 10 years of experience working in the automotive industry and the field of information technology. What the business software alliance audit letter does the letter goes on to state that the recipient has been identified as somebody that could be using those various pieces of software. Toronto business lawyer toronto small claims lawyer. Bsa compliance solutions supports our members and their customers by partnering with key stakeholders around the world to raise awareness of the risk of malware, ransomware, and other critical security threats and drive license compliance through sound it procurement. I am an intellectual property attorney in southlake, texas who has handled more than 230 business software alliance audit matters for small to mediumsized companies.
View iris xus business profile as senior counsel at business software alliance. Kagetsuki writes weve just gotten a letter from an attorney representing the business software alliance stating someone were certain its a disgruntled former employee submitted information we are using. A former sydney ip lawyer has landed a senior role with one of the worlds biggest entertainment companies, time warner inc. Kagetsuki writes weve just gotten a letter from an attorney representing the business software alliance stating someone were certain its a disgruntled former employee submitted information we are using illegally copied software. Business lawyers handle a broad spectrum of legal issues that confront companies. They are known as the software cops or software police to many, but they are not law. Baseline shows you how to avoid them altogether in 8 easy steps the fear of a business software alliance bsaaudit has caused many a sleepless night among senior executives and it professionals over the past two decades. Its members are among the worlds most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the. The audit is used to determine if all the software available for use is properly licensed and paid for by the business.
Sometimes working together is the best strategy, but make sure you create a strategic alliance agreement. Dec 19, 2015 software audits suck especially when dealing with large trade groups such as the bsa business software alliance. The business software alliance bsa has a few dozen lawyers and investigators who prosecute only the 100 or so most egregious cases of software piracy each year. A business alliance needs to be unusually profitable any new business generated by the alliance should beat your current margins in order to justify the effort, says slowinski. Consistent with my column this week on how claims that canada is a. Our lawyers have counseled many businesses in your situation. Represented various clients in connection with negotiations of agreements with business software alliance. Having your lawyer handle the internal audit for you is the only way to ensure that.
The ultimate guide to saving your business money by handling your software compliance case without a lawyer this is a general legal guide to help both small and midsized. The business software alliance bsa targets small businesses that may be improperly using software of its members and retains lawyers to send a bsa audit letter to the business. Sep 30, 20 when you buy software to use on the computer it comes with a license. Oct 09, 2019 find 61 employees contacts from business software alliance. Our lawyers have the technical and legal skills necessary to vigorously fight for your interests against bsa. Unlicensed and counterfeit software use is a global problem. Remote server cal licensing may also present an issue.
However, with a letter currently in our possession, the attorneys at fps have demonstrated that even major firms may wish to tighten the screws a little on their high quality standards when they venture into business sectors solely comprised of bulk continue reading. The vast majority of bsa the software alliances focus today is related to data policy, or the rules around data acquisition and ownership. Jonathan is a toronto business lawyer and small claims court lawyer who vigorously advocates for his clients from his offices in downtown and midtown toronto. What to do when you receive a bsa audit letter by ericka chickowski print baseline talked to the experts whove directly dealt with the business software alliance, and weve compiled an 8 step guideline process for handling the aftermath of receiving an intimidating audit letter.
The alliance includes the majority of leading software publishers including. Bsa the software alliance bsa is the leading advocate for the global software industry. He described the many means by which the bsa tried to combat piracy, and then he mentioned. The business may have to verify all computers, all software, and all licenses. General counsel of the software alliance named ceo of. Business software alliance explained vondran legal. What is the purpose of the business software alliance. Bsa the software alliance fullservice business law firm. When your business decides to share resources and knowledge and help each other in a.
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