BSA flushes out unlicensed software at plumbing firm

Leicester-based plumbing company Norman & Underwood has had to splash out £19,287 in costs and fees to the Business Software Alliance (BSA) after it was caught using unlicensed software.

The amount includes settlement fees and the cost of the relevant software licences.

The BSA investigated the company after an anonymous complaint but has not issued a fine.

"Businesses must be aware that companies found using unlicensed software will be forced to address the problem," said Michala Wardell, chair, BSA.

"The abuse of intellectual property rights is a serious offence, and it will not be accepted. [Media coverage of] settlements such as this can seriously damage a company's reputation and can be costly to businesses."

UK firms caught using unlicensed software paid out £3.4m in fines and other costs last year, more than doubled the amount for 2009.

A study by IDC suggested that reducing software piracy in the UK by 10 per cent over four years could create 13,011 high-tech jobs, new activity worth £5.4bn, and £1.5bn in new taxes by 2013.

Some 87 per cent of those benefits would remain in the local economy, according to the research.