How to guard against dealing in pirated or
unlicensed software
Tony Chow
Who is the BSA?
A non-profit organisation promoting the continued growth of the software
industry through :•
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Education programs concerning IPR
Public policy
Promoting efforts to creating a safe and legal digital world
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E-commerce (anti-spam)
Network security
Trustworthy and reliable computing
Assisting Government officials in their efforts to protect IPR
Founded in 1988
Presence in over 65 countries worldwide
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BSA Members
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BSA’s mission statement
To promote a long-term legislative and legal
environment in which the business software
industry can prosper.
To promote the value of the global software
industry and a safe and legal digital world
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Software Licensing – Basic concepts
To avoid inadvertent sourcing of illegal or unlicensed
software, it is important to:
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Understand basic licensing concepts
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One computer/device = one license
Understand different licensing options
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OEM version = bundled with hardware
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Retail version = shrink wrapped box
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Corporate volume purchase
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Academic version = students and educational institutes
End-users should practice Software Asset Management
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Things to watch out for when acquiring software:
• Trust your instincts based on market price.
• Whether it is being sold as new or used, if the price is “too good
to be true”, then it probably is.
• Source from authorized distributors and dealers
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– see BSA members’ websites or call their customer hotlines.
• Be suspicious of products that do not include proof of
authenticity.
• Steer clear of compilations (software titles from different
publishers on a single disk).
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Other things to understand:
• Understand licenses applicable to the software that you sell,
particularly in relation to:
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Transferability
• (eg. Autodesk software licenses are not transferable, and transfer of
Adobe software is subject to approval)
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Storage/ network use
• Understand that multiplexing devices do not reduce the number
of licenses that your customer needs to acquire.
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For example, with Microsoft software:
OEM version:
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Should come pre-installed on a new PC
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Product packaging often indicates “For distribution with a new PC only”
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License documentation includes:
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Certificate of Authenticity (COA) – Windows Operating System COAs must be adhered to
the chassis or body of the PC
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End User License Agreement (EULA); original media; manuals; purchase invoice or receipt
Retail version:
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Single-unit quantities at retail stores and by Microsoft resellers.
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License documentation includes:
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Certificate of Authenticity (affixed to Retail Box spine)
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End User License Agreement; original media; manuals; purchase invoice or receipt
Volume license version:
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Depending on size, some organisations may save money by participating on a volume license
program.
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Through these programs, customers can track their licenses through on-line tools
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Often labelled “Not for Retail or OEM distribution”
For example, with Microsoft software:
Some anti-counterfeiting features:
Certificate of Authenticity
bears a heat sensitive security
thread that is interwoven into
paper label
Edge-to-edge
hologram CD
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When purchasing over the Internet:
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Install anti-virus software and firewalls
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For Internet auction sites - Check the feedback section on
the site to find comments about the seller from previous
transactions
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Look for a trust mark from a reputable organization
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Be careful when dealing with sellers based overseas
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Useful websites
• “Safe Shopping Tips” on www.bsa.org
• Websites of some individual BSA members:
• www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/main.html
• www.autodesk.com.hk
• www.macromedia.com
• www.microsoft.com/hk/licensing
• www.symantec.com/region/hk/
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