Pub. 1 Issue 4

20 www.glancda.org Unauthorized Reproduction Of Computer Software Products W hile it may be tempting to load computer software on multiple computers serving your dealership, it may be costly to find out that the software license “agreement” which was included in the original soft- ware product packaging may not permit multiple usage. There are several trade associations representing software publishers in the business of developing and marketing a variety of computer software products, whose mission is in large part policing the use of computer software products in the business community (“Trade Associations”). Some of these Trade Associations, represented by law firms which have departments dedicated to enforcement of Trade As- sociation member’s legal rights (i.e., under federal law, the Copyright Act), rely on informants to identify potential viola- tors and their usage of unlicensed software products. These informants may be disgruntled employees or individuals who have “inside knowledge” and wish to trade their knowledge for cash as part of a bounty system created by certain Trade Associations. In short, once a Trade Association becomes aware of a prob- able violation, a Trade Association lawyer will initiate a series BY GORDON D. SCHOLTE, FERRUZZO & FERRUZZO, LLP