The BSA and SIIA are not the only organizations pursuing business for software copyright infringement. Though it is a member of both the BSA and SIIA, Autodesk, which manufactures the popular design software AutoCAD, often pursues audit targets on its own. The audits begin much like those instituted by the BSA or SIIA. The target…
A software audit typically resolves in one of three ways: a dismissal, a settlement, or litigation. The most common path to resolution is a settlement between the parties for potential copyright infringement stemming from allegedly unlicensed software. Software publishers sometimes authorize entities such as the Business Software Alliance (“BSA”) or Software & Information Industry Association…
In May 2013, Adobe announced that CS6 would be the last version of its Creative Suite software product line that would be available under traditional, stand-alone, perpetual licenses. Instead, all releases of Creative Suite products since then have been available exclusively through Adobe’s Creative Cloud solution, with users paying a monthly subscription fee to access…
In many software audits, the auditing entity like the Business Software Alliance or the Software & Information Industry Association requires a dated proof of purchase to demonstrate when a license for a software product was acquired. However, in audits initiated by Autodesk, the serial number can play a crucial role in demonstrating ownership. Autodesk products…
UPDATE: On October 3, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court declined a request to grant certiorari in the Vernor case, allowing to stand the Ninth Circuit’s reversal of the trial court’s decision. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case means that, at least in the Ninth Circuit, software publishers like Autodesk may continue to seek…
