The Business Software Alliance is a private trade organization with absolutely no independent law enforcement authority. The BSA's members include the largest software publishing companies in the world and most notably, Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec, Intuit, Autodesk and McAfee. These companies provide the Business Software Alliance a power of attorney to act on their behalf to accuse businesses of software piracy. Accordingly, the BSA can enforce only those rights that its member software publishers have. Legally, software companies usually have a contractual relationship with a customer based upon a software license and also have the rights provided under copyright laws that protect the holder of copyright against infringement. These are the rights that the Business Software Alliance's enforcement department is attempting to protect.
BSA FAQ
Q. My company has just received a letter from an attorney representing the Business Software Alliance. What should we do next?
A. Upon receiving a letter from the BSA the first thing you should do is notify internal stakeholders including senior management and your in-house or outside legal advisors who can advise the company on the proper procedures to safeguard relevant evidence and on how to conduct an internal investigation.
Q. What will happen if I ignore the Business Software Alliance’s request for a self-audit?
A. The Business Software Alliance is well funded and very aggressive. Attempting to ignore the problem by not responding will likely make your problems worse, leaving the BSA with no other option but to institute litigation against you and your company.
Q. What lawyers represent the Business Software Alliance in software audit matters?
A. Some of the attorneys and firms who represent the BSA are:
| Donahue Gallagher Woods |
FDK Law |
Faegre & Benson |
| Eric Doney |
Frank Konczakowski |
Jodi DeSchane |
| Care Heller-Pittman |
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| Eric Handler |
Thompson & Knight |
Bailey & Glasser, LLP |
| Stephen Gustavson |
Herbert Hammond |
Michael Murphy |
| Bruce Eads |
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| Paul Chavez |
Business Software Alliance |
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell |
| Julie Hofer |
Jennifer Balmos |
Brandon Benson |
| Lawrence Rockwell |
Iva Mills |
Jason Mueller |
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Sarah Copeland |
| Troutman Sanders, LLP |
Sorin Royer Cooper LLC |
Anthony Vecchione |
| Clarence Lee |
Barry Cohen |
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| Allison Nicholson |
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Smart & Biggar |
| Jesse Martin |
Gowling, Lafleur, Henderson LLP |
Vik Tenekjian |
| Matthew Murphy |
Michael Crichton |
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| Anna Schall |
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Klemchuk Kubasta LLP |
| Thomas Hay |
Higer Lichter & Givner |
Darin Klemchuk |
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David Lichter |
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Janessa Wasserman |
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BSA Software Audit Resources
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