Charter Transportation Provider Pays $70,000 to Settle Claims of Unlicensed Software Use

WASHINGTON, July 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Business Software Alliance (BSA), the voice of the world's commercial software industry, today announced a settlement with Starr Tours of Trenton, NJ.  Starr Tours paid $70,000 to BSA to settle claims that it had unlicensed copies of Microsoft software installed on its computers.  As part of the settlement agreement, the company agreed to delete all unlicensed copies of software from its computers, acquire any licenses necessary to become compliant and commit to implementing stronger software asset management (SAM) practices.  BSA was alerted to the unlicensed software use by a confidential report made on its web site www.nopiracy.com.

In operation for over 60 years, Starr Tours is one of the largest family-owned motor coach companies in the United States. Starr and its affiliated operations provide charter transportation, tour service, convention shuttle service, and transportation fulfillment.

"The investigation and resolution of any issues of unlicensed software use was a collaborative effort between Starr Tours and BSA," said John Gillispie, President of Starr Tours. "The software audit performed by Starr Tours has permitted our organization to implement processes to maximize our IT efficiency and protect our own software assets."

"Having unlicensed software on any computer is a risk for all companies, which is why it is essential that software users ensure each and every computer is properly licensed," said Jodie Kelley, BSA's vice president of anti-piracy and general counsel.  "By being proactive and diligent in ensuring software is appropriately licensed, companies can avoid potential legal damages that stem from using pirated software.  Beyond the legal implications, companies that employ unauthorized software risk inadvertently exposing sensitive information and harming economic growth of software developing nations."

DATA

About BSA

The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world.  BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace.  Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world.  BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.  BSA members include Adobe, Altium, Apple, Autodesk, Aveva, Bentley Systems, Corel, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation, Microsoft, Minitab, Progress Software, Quark, Quest Software, Rosetta Stone, Siemens, Sybase, Symantec, and The MathWorks.

SOURCE Business Software Alliance

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED