Company software piracy? How Common Is It?

[ppark001]

Hi All,

Last week I was asked to "figure out" the technology in my company. So I spent the whole week auditing the various servers, software, client computers etc.

What I found at this point is that we have no original software C.D.s, every server has a different key and serial number for the server software (Windows 2000 Advanced Server). The Network Guy is using his personal software to support the server software. He reactivates remote "Terminal Services" users by using tricks to refresh the licensing, as we have no official licenses.

The "Network Guy" uses his same Windows XP Professional to install on multiple workstations.

So in a nutshell, at the most, one of the server installations maybe valid, but I have no way of proving it for legal,insurance or any other reason.

I am fairly freaked out over this, yet when I hold discussions with the 2 or 3 I.T. people, they just kind of shrug it off. I know the Management will be very concerned. My question to you is, how common is this and what is your take on it. It seems to me, our computer system is at risk, legally and security-wise. If the server should die, we are dependent on our Network Guy to use his personal software. My other question is, how can I tell without receipts and disk covers, if any of the software actually belongs to use. I have all the keys from software audit software, but I don't know what to do with it.

Thanks All,

Signed: "Sorry I accepted this Task"

 

[Zelandakh]

who asked you to figure it out?

company directors are liable for this and can go to jail. it staff DO NOT. directors set budgets, IT staff do not.

The Directors must know there is more than one computer in the company. They must be aware that the software has not purchased.

You MUST tell...

 

[rgzimmer]

Ask whoever is in charge of the IT department who is in charge of licensing and where you can find it. If it can not be produced, then it is being used illegally. It doesn't matter if they actually did purchase licenses for everything if it can't be reproduced at an audit.

If they can't provide licensing, put together a list of all software in use and associate costs with it. That shoudl be a real eye opener since fines are generally more than what the costs would have been for legal purchases.

If the IT people don't care, then they shouldn't be your IT people.

 

[Zelandakh]

IT may actually care. Don't get at us!

The Board of Directors are the ones who should be aware of it. The nominated Software Officer can be anyone in the company - but if they are not on the Board there is NO comeback on them. If they don't have Board backing then they cannot do anything...

It is the Board of Directors who get fined, not IT. It is the Board who are responsible, not IT.

Licensing is a hairy game. But users installing their own stuff or the company not buying software cannot be stopped by IT without the backing of the Board. Get their support or run away.