Where do I stand with the law 2

[cooldude17]

I know there is another thread like this, but mine is slightly different. I know that we are using unlicensed software, It is not up to me to sort this out, I only do tech support.

What i want to know is where i stand with the law, i.e will they put all the blame on me saying i was the one who installed it. I don't want to refuse to install it as the job market is not that good at the minute and i don't want to be out of a job.

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Do the same as what the other guy is doing. Research the cost of purchasing the software to make you legal or at least notify your manager or higher about the problem. Mike Wills
AS400 Programmer


Please, if you find my post useful, let me know.

 

[cooldude17]

its not my job to check out if it is licensed, they know about it.

When I say "have we licenses" i am told that its none of my concern

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Hmm... is this for every level of management or just your manager? Mike Wills
AS400 Programmer


Please, if you find my post useful, let me know.

 

[monkeylizard]

cooldude17, send an e-mail and SAVE it. Let them know about your concerns of installing unlicensed software and end it with 'I leave it in your hands' or something like that.

If you are far enough down the chain, your head won't roll from a BSA audit. If it really isn't your responsibility to do licensing, you'll be OK. However, be sure you have it in writing that you've informed your clueless leaders. Monkeylizard
-Isaiah 35-

 

[NOnoy]

Yes I totally agree. Emailing your manager about the 'Unlicensed' software should be suffice to cover yourself. You told them and they don't do anything about it leaves the ball in their hands. Try to convince them to get licenced software because if the BSA ever catches them and get fined, and your company goes out of business.. you're in the same boat as them firing you for refusing to install the software. Give them the consequences of unlicensed software.

- NOnoy

 

[psarros]

You are culpable.

You know better.

What you have to do is CYA... send an E-mail, or better yet a MEMO to the person who would be in charge of buying the licences... the one the Auditors would ask for proof from. If you have that you are safe, although... push comes to shove, you get fired when an audit does happen.

 

[gunthnp]

no if it not your job its not your job and the bsa does not fire people they are after money and fines they fine companys not people its up to the compnay to fire people for not following the law that mean the guy in charge not you gunthnp
Have you ever woken up and realized you where not alive.

 

[Prefbid]

Lot of lawyers on this thread.

One of the distinguishing characteristics between a little crook and the head crook is that the little crook will always try to blame the "boss" WHEN they get caught. Sure the boss may do a little extra time, but the little crook is still a crook.

Look at Arthur Andersen -- the big cheeses had a lot of help shredding all those documents. How would you like to be one of the people in that office and have to explain where you were on the night of the shredding for your next job interview?

I would suggest:
1. Make sure of your facts. Don't accuse anyone of things that you suspect.
2. Cautiously notify your boss of "perceived irregulaties" because of the way you are installing software.
3. Wait some time before you turn them into BSA. Why should you have a sleepless night because your boss is a crook? (By the way -- one of my former bosses is still in jail the last I heard. Wish I could say that I was the one that turned him in, but the IRS caught him without my help.)

 

[Guest_imported]

Keep Records, Blackmail your boss, and then turn him in anyways. That will teach him to install illegal software.



-=G=-
:Truth is only what you preceive it to be.
Release the HOUNDS....

 

[elizabeth]

I'm wondering if you mean to discuss legality or ethics. You have apparently done something unethical (install what you believe is pirate software) to avoid losing money (your paycheck). Your management is in the same boat, they have apparently done something unethical (directing employees to use pirate software) to avoid losing money (their paycheck or profits).

We are not ethical people if we only do what is right, or when it is easy, or when when there are no negative consequences. Life is not fair, and we can make a lot more money being unethical. So we make our choices, and our choices make our character, and our lives.

 

[cooldude17]

elizabeth,

I don't understand.

 

[SteveTheGeek]

What elizabeth said, was: you may not have done something illegal, but you have done something unethical. Also, life sucks.
I know of very few people with such unbending moral standards that they'd tell their boss "Buy the licenses or I'll turn you in to BSA." Elizabeth is right, though - decide what's important to you and act on that decision.
-Steve

 

[elizabeth]

Thanks, Steve. Your rephrasing was succinct and accurate!

I personally wouldn't feel ethically compelled to turn anyone in, but that's probably the right thing to do. If I were certain it was pirate software, I probably would refuse to install the software in writing, stating my reason to believe it was illegal, cc my boss's management and myself, and retain a dated copy. My choice may be influenced by my belief that, with that in writing, they wouldn't fire me before I found a new position, and if they did I could get by financially. If I were desperate to keep my job for some reason, I can imagine I might consider installing the software, figuring I'll pay for it (karmicly speaking) later. My experience, though, is that karmic debt can carry a pretty high interest rate. Mostly I try not to make decisions based on fear, because those are the decisions I usually regret. Sometimes losing my job or other negative-sounding things can sound scary can turn out way better than I expected.