Blue chip user group the Corporate IT forum (Tif) is urging IT suppliers to withdraw their backing for 'self styled auditors' the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

Tif has called on IT suppliers to stop backing the BSA, which is funded by 45 large software firms, on the grounds of its 'continued harassment of many of its corporate subscribers'.

Tif says the BSA's practice of sending letters to IT departments accusing them of using illegal software, often without evidence it claims, is 'becoming a menace to corporate IT professionals'.

'Supplier companies are funding an organisation that insults their customers' professionalism and honesty, so why bite the hand that feeds you,' said Tif chief executive David Roberts.

'The idea that large organisations would deliberately cheat on their licensing is preposterous given the controls in place to ensure that IT runs smoothly,' he said.

The BSA was unavailable for comment.