There are two common questions that arise from the business. Clinton township lawyers compare top attorneys in clinton. Consistent with my column this week on how claims that canada is a. 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. Consulting an experienced lawyer is recommended in cases like this. 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. Its principal activity is trying to stop infringement.
Iris xu business profile business software alliance. Legal solutions across borders alliance of business lawyers abl is a leading network of international business law firms advising. Our lawyers have the technical and legal skills necessary to vigorously fight for your interests against bsa. Our members create innovative software that improves peoples lives and grows the economy. Business software alliance asks britons to become paid. Victoria espinel leads bsa the software alliance to advocate. How to respond to a bsa or siia software audit letter. The business software alliance is a trade group consisting of some of the largest software companies on the planet. He specializes in business law, corporate law and small claims court.
Toronto business lawyer toronto small claims lawyer. The business software alliance bsa is not law enforcement. Business software alliance bsa audits by attorney steve. 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. Bsa audit lawyer, bsa audit letter, contact kirkpatrick. Represented recording artist in connection with recording agreement with a major. Learn about bsas work on responsible ai, protecting consumer privacy, strengthening cybersecurity, promoting crossborder data, and helping people train for the future. Bsa the software alliance spends substantial resources marketing to disgruntled employees and vendors to encourage them to rat on your business. 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. 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. How to settle hiring an attorney to help negotiate the settlement is highly recommended. Represented software vendor with application service provider services in the field of ecommerce fulfillment. Remote server cal licensing may also present an issue.
What is the purpose of the business software alliance. How to handle business software alliance audit demand letters. Jodie kelley will become the ceo of the electronic transactions association on sept. According to the business software alliance, 57% of the worlds computer users admit to using pirate software. 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. 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. What i learned in the last 10 years defending bsa the.
The ultimate guide to saving your business money by handling your software compliance case without a lawyer this is a general. About the business software alliance bsa audit defense. In 2008, the business software alliance received more than 2,500 reports of illicit use of software by companies in the u. Dec 01, 2009 the speaker following me was the lawyer who ran the hungarian division of the business software alliance. 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. Apr 25, 2014 the business software alliance bsa is not law enforcement. Prior to practicing law, david had nearly 10 years of experience working in the automotive industry and the field of information technology. Home and business lawyer deluxe 2006 is a full legal library, for all your business and financial needs. The publishers and their trade associations have experienced software piracy attorneys, and so should you. The vast majority of bsa the software alliances focus today is related to data policy, or the rules around data acquisition and ownership. 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. 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. Minden gross llp has lawyers who have experience with bsa, and we can help. Its members are among the worlds most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the.
In our experience, the bsa has referred to the appletree case adobe systems incorporated v. 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. Acting either through an internal enforcement attorney or an outside law firm, bsa will send a letter to the target company requesting a selfaudit. Kimball kla, access additional case information on pacer. If you violate the terms of the license, or make unauthorized copies, you. Represented recording artist in connection with recording agreement with a major international record label. 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.
Apply to alliance manager, android developer, systems administrator and more. Jan 06, 2014 anyone have recent experience dealing with the business software alliance bsa. 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. Our lawyers have the legal and technical expertise to defend your business through. Microsofts cortana is primarily focused on its business software. General counsel of the software alliance named ceo of. Dale thompson dba appletree solutions and the business software alliance. 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. 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. When your business decides to share resources and knowledge and help each other in a. Sep 30, 20 when you buy software to use on the computer it comes with a license. Ive actually come to know the lawyers from major law firms as relatively thorough working members of our profession.
For those who have received a demand letter from the business software alliance, here is something you should know. 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. Represented various clients in connection with negotiations of agreements with business software alliance. They are known as the software cops or software police to many, but they. Business software alliance company the bsa was created by microsoft in 1988 in an attempt to combat software theft. 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.
It includes the necessary forms and documents you need, to handle the legalities of. 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. Irvine business lawyers compare top rated california. Oct 09, 2019 find 61 employees contacts from business software alliance. By connecting lawyers, nonprofits, and communities, we help organizations to develop and provide housing, stimulate economic opportunity, improve urban health and education. Microsoft cal exchange and window server licenses remaining a hot issue. 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. Software audits suck especially when dealing with large trade groups such as the bsa business software alliance. How to respond to a bsa or siia software audit letter without an. It is possible that the 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. Business lawyers handle a broad spectrum of legal issues that confront companies. Find contacts direct phone number, email address, work history, and more.
Accused of software piracy by bsa the software alliance. View iris xus business profile as senior counsel at business software alliance. What the business software alliance audit letter does typepad. Bsa the software alliance fullservice business law firm. They are known as the software cops or software police to many, but they are not law. 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. 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. The electronic transaction association announced thursday that it is bringing in the general counsel from. Bsa the software alliance is a private trade organization with absolutely no independent law enforcement authority.
The business software alliance has issued its annual global software piracy report with some positive words for canada. Bsa the software alliance bsa is the leading advocate for the global software industry. Victoria espinel leads bsa the software alliance to. When you buy software to use on the computer it comes with a license. Our lawyers have counseled many businesses in your situation. For new ventures, a business lawyer can help with business formation decisions, including selecting the proper business. How to handle business software alliance audit demand. Software piracy is in resurgence, with new safeguards eroded.
How to respond to a bsa or siia software audit letter without. Business software alliance and microsoft corporation. Im a faculty member at a public university which the business software alliance contacted in a bulk mailing last fall. Dec 19, 2015 software audits suck especially when dealing with large trade groups such as the bsa business software alliance. 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. Bsas members include the largest software publishing companies in the world and most notably, microsoft, adobe, symantec, intuit, autodesk and mcafee. 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. Packed with more than 230 customizable documents and extensive additional. 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. Aug 30, 2017 an experienced business lawyer can paper your alliance with the right legal documents so that you get what you want from the transaction. Stupidly, our it department invited them in to explain.
A former sydney ip lawyer has landed a senior role with one of the worlds biggest entertainment companies, time warner inc. 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. 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 business may have to verify all computers, all software, and all licenses. The audit is used to determine if all the software available for use is properly licensed and paid for by the business. 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. Having your lawyer handle the internal audit for you is the only way to ensure that. They are known as the software cops or software police to many, but they are not law enforcement. Have you received an audit letter from bsa business. However, with a letter currently in our possession, the attorneys at fps have. 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. 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. 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. Business software alliance explained vondran legal.
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. 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. 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. 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. Unlicensed and counterfeit software use is a global problem. Sometimes working together is the best strategy, but make sure you create a strategic alliance agreement. He described the many means by which the bsa tried to combat piracy, and then he mentioned. 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. The alliance includes the majority of leading software publishers including. Hr executives and corporate counsel can access exceptional legal service from a trusted law firm network with our find a lawyer tool below. 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.
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