Queensland manufacturer slugged for software piracy

The anti-piracy industry group that represents the vendor community has reached a $17,500 settlement with Queensland business Wulguru Steel.

BSA The Software Alliance announced that Wulguru paid $17,500 in damages for the "unlicensed use of Autodesk AutoCAD software products". The steel processing firm is also required to remediate the situation by purchasing the missing licences.

"Businesses risk the security and integrity of their computer systems and data if they use unlicensed, non-genuine software," said Clayton Noble, BSA Australia committee chair.

"It’s just not worth taking the risk of using software without licences."

The industry alliance – which includes most of the large global vendors including Apple, Microsoft, CA, IBM, Oracle and Symantec – stated that regular audits are critical to stay compliant.

“We encourage all businesses to review and acquire software licences, as required to keep their software deployments legal," said Noble.

"Sound software asset management checks, undertaken as part of regular IT audits, will ensure that your business can avoid the pitfalls of using unlicensed software and get the best return on investment from their software license purchases."

Wulguru Steel is headquartered in Townsville and employs over 140 people.

The news comes after a Victorian construction business paid $100,000 to settle its case with BSA in June. That case also saw unlicensed Autodesk AutoCAD software, as well as Microsoft Office.

BSA The Software Alliance also reported in June that software piracy is now worth $837 million in Australia, having doubled in value over the past decade. The Asia-Pacific region led the world in unlicensed software installation rates, now at 62 percent.