|
Increases in broadband penetration have facilitated the sharing of software copies online, promoting the growth of software piracy. Figures supplied by the Business Software Alliance estimate that software piracy losses in the Asia Pacific region were USD8 billion for the year 2005. In Singapore, the figure reached about USD86 million. This prevailing problem poses a threat to the overall economy, affecting many global businesses and, ultimately, all individuals.
The government and the Business Software Alliance (BSA) are escalating the battle against software license infringement. Companies identified as using unlicensed software copies may face hefty fines and penalties, regardless of whether it is an intentional act or not.
TechSource Systems is thus committed to proactively addressing license misuse challenges by educating our authorized users on licensing issues and supporting them when necessary in correcting any license misuse within their organizations
Why Use Licensed Software?
Using illegal software saves costs.
However, the risks involved may COST YOU MORE!
So why take the Risk?
Anyone who possesses or uses unlicensed software is potentially liable for piracy, whether the copies are for profit or personal usage. Currently, Singapore law calls for civil penalties, imprisonment, or both for willful infringement of software copyrights. Please visit the Business Software Alliance website http://www.bsa.org for more information on software copyright issues and penalties for piracy.
Should a company be identified as using illegal and unlicensed software to produce projects for commercial sale, executives and management may be held accountable for the license infringement.
Aside from legal implications, using illegal and unlicensed software may have other consequences. When using The MathWorks software illegally, for example:
• You may be exposing your system to computer viruses and bugs. Such problems pose a higher risk of frequent system crashes that could affect business workflow resulting in lost revenue, time, and even valuable R & D test results.
• The unfavorable publicity surrounding the use of illegal software may adversely affect your business and reputation.
Types of MATLAB License Violations
There are several forms of License Violations, which include:
1. Unauthorized Software Duplication
Illegal duplication of MathWorks software for profit and personal use is strictly prohibited.
2. Multiple Installations From Single License
Sharing a single license among multiple users is not allowed. Only the Standalone Named User has the right to install the software in multiple computers for own use or for the use of the designated Named User.
3. Prolonging the Use Of MathWorks Trial Licenses
Failure to uninstall MathWorks software trial copies after the evaluation/expiry date is an infringement of the license agreement.
4. Counterfeiting
Copying The MathWorks software constitutes software copyright infringement.
5. Hard-Disk Loading
Using software that’s been illegally installed in computers by suppliers to help sell the machines violates the software license policy.
6. Intra-Company Software Exchange
Using an overseas parent company’s software license locally without proper permission is forbidden. Conversion of the license is required at a fee for local use of the overseas software license. For more information on license conversion, please contact us at (65) 6842-4222.
7. Use of The MathWorks Academic Licenses for Commercial Purposes
The use of academic license for profit-making projects is expressly prohibited. Academic licenses can be used only in the following cases:
(i) By academic staff and faculty – as employees of the licensee – for teaching, academic research, and software administration.
(ii) By enrolled students for meeting the course and study requirements of the licensee.
Only authorized enrolled students and employees (i.e. faculty and academic staff) of the Licensee are permitted to use the software. As used herein, “employees” excludes subcontractors and consultants of the Licensee.
Effective Software Asset Management
Implementing an effective software asset management program is encouraged in order to effectively track installed software programs. Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of the software programs that have been installed on your organization’s computers and comparing the list with licenses purchased will enable identification of unlicensed software, if any.
1. Conduct a software audit
Please contact us on our hotline should you require any assistance.
2. Check your license terms
Please contact us on our hotline should you need to verify any licensing issues.
3. Purchase the appropriate license
Uninstall illegal used MathWorks Software, if any, from your systems. To learn more about how to purchase the appropriate licenses, please contact us on our hotline.
4. Beware of second-hand software
If you purchase second-hand MathWorks software, you will need to transfer the license to your name.
5. Establish a software register for all your MathWorks software, license numbers, and the computers on which it is installed.
6. Conduct regular audits
Appoint a software auditor to conduct spot checks and ensure The MathWorks register is accurate.
7. Keep your software secure
Safeguard your MathWorks software to prevent others from copying it.
8. Educate your users
Ensure your employees are understand software copyrights issues and ways in which to remain compliant with copyright laws and regulations.
9. Institute a company policy to demonstrate the company’s commitment to combating software piracy and to publicize the penalties for copyright infringement.
10. Ask for Assistance
For advice and information regarding MathWorks licensing terms, please contact us at licensing@techsource.com.sg or (65) 6842-4222.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS SOFTWARE LICENSE VIOLATION?
Q: What constitutes a software license violation? Why is it considered an offence?
A: A license violation occurs when legitimate copies of software are distributed and used in violation of the applicable license agreement. Such violations may take many forms including:
- Unauthorized reproduction of legitimately purchased software.
- Reproduction and/or distribution of counterfeit or otherwise unauthorized software.
- Illegal access to protected software, also known as “cracking”.
- Use of academic licensed software for commercial purposes.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE LICENSE INFRINGEMENT
Q: Is it wrong to continue using MathWorks software trials once the evaluation period has expired?
A: Failure to uninstall trial software copies once the evaluation period has expired is a form of license infringement. To verify the validity of your trial copies, or to purchase MathWorks software, please contact our hotline.
Q: My company recently purchased licensed MathWorks software and has installed it on several computers. Is that OK?
A: Only the license Named User has the right to install the software on multiple machines. This may include work, home, lab, and laptop computers so long as the license Named User is the only person to access and use the software on each machine. For more details regarding Permitted Installation Types, please refer to the chart below or contact our hotline for more information regarding licensing issues.
Permitted Installation Types
|
License Options
|
Stand-alone Named User
|
Network Named User
|
Network Concurrent User
|
Minimum Count
|
Individual |
X |
|
|
1 |
Network Named User |
|
X |
|
2 |
Concurrent |
|
|
X |
1 |
Q: We are using MathWorks software that was purchased in another country by our overseas parent company. Is that a violation of The MathWorks software license policies?
A: MathWorks licenses are restricted to a single country of operation. Using software purchased by an overseas subsidiary or parent company without proper licensing conversion is a violation of The MathWorks software licensing agreement. Contact our hotline to verify the validity of your license agreement or to find out more about conversion procedures for local use.
Q: I realize I’ve violated The MathWorks software licensing agreement by installing a copy of MathWorks software that was given to me by a friend onto my computer. What should I do?
A: Duplication of software, even if only for casual or personal use, is prohibited. If you think you may have inadvertently violated The MathWorks software licensing agreement, you should call our hotline to report the circumstances and obtain a valid license. Typically, it is not our policy to punish minor or unintentional piracy when the user takes appropriate steps to legalize his use of the software.
Q: How do I know if my copy of The MathWorks software is legal?
A: TechSource Systems is the sole authorized distributor for The MathWorks software in ASEAN. If you purchased your software from us, it is a legal copy. Genuine MathWorks software includes the original CD and Users Guide. You should also have received a Letter of Authenticity which included your software license number. You can also obtain your license number by typing “Ver” at the MATLAB command line. Should you have any questions or doubts about the authenticity of your MathWorks software, please call our hotline.
Q: [For academic license users only] My department recently migrated to a new server. Can I run my MathWorks software on both servers.
A: Running MathWorks software on both servers is prohibited. When migrating to a new server, before you begin using MathWorks software on the new server, the license manager on your old server should be uninstalled. If you require assistance, please contact our hotline.
Q: [For academic license users only] Can I use the Personal License Passcode (PLP) for other licenses?
A: Using a PLP for other licenses is a serious violation of The MathWorks software licensing agreement. Please ensure your department adheres to the terms and conditions of The MathWorks software licensing agreement.
WHY THE SOFTWARE LICENSING CAMPAIGN?
Q: Why is TechSource Systems working so hard to end license misuse?
A: TechSource Systems is committed to supporting the growth of a healthy software industry. Ultimately, we are all affected by piracy which adversely impacts the pace of innovation and the market price of software. Software piracy also hurts users of illegal software which is prone to crash and often results in the loss of time, test results, and revenue.
WHO CAN BE HELD LIABLE?
Q: Who can be held liable for software violations? What are the penalties?
A: Anyone who possesses or uses unlicensed software is potentially liable for software license infringement. This includes not only the sophisticated commercial counterfeiter but also individual users of single illegal programs. Currently, Singapore law calls for civil penalties of fines or imprisonment or both for willful infringement of software copyrights.
Q: I am a member of the senior management team at my company/academic institution. How would/should I know if our employees/ staff are using illegal or unlicensed copies of MathWorks software?
A: As management, it is advisable for you to arrange for regular internal software audits for each division/department within your organization. Please note that employers and executive management of companies or academic institutions identified as using illegal or unlicensed software or as using academic software for commercial purposes may be held liable. In addition, using illegal software increases the potential for software corruption, viruses, and bugs which can result in disrupted workflow and lost revenue, time, and manpower.
Q: I am just an engineer/lecturer. Why should I care if The MathWorks software I use at work is illegal or unlicensed?
A: By using illegal or unlicensed copies of MathWorks Software, you are potentially exposing your organization’s systems to computer viruses or bugs, risking the disruption of normal workflow and the loss of time and resources required to repair damaged systems. You are also, in such cases, risking the loss of test results and other valuable data.
CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL AUDIT
Q: Why is it necessary to conduct a time-consuming software audit?
A: Aside from the benefits of abiding by the law and reducing the potential for workflow stoppage and computer crashes, software audits also help you better manage your software assets by helping determine which software is needed and which is not. A software audit can also help determine the most efficient ways to utilize software throughout your organization.
BENEFITS OF LEGAL SOFTWARE USAGE
Q: What are the advantages of using legal copies of The MathWorks software?
A: Businesses work more efficiently and effectively by using genuine high quality and fully functional MathWorks software. Licensed users may also receive technical support and software upgrades. In addition, legal use of software also helps eliminate the risk of financial penalties, legal fees, and damage to your organization’s computer systems or reputation.
HELP/ASSISTANCE
Q: What should I do if I suspect someone of license misuse?
A: If you suspect someone of misusing MathWorks software licenses, please contact our hotline. All reports of misuse will be held in strict confidence.
Q: What happens once the license misuse is reported? Will I have to be involved further?
A: The information provided is analyzed and a decision on what action to take, if any, is made. The proposed course of action may take many forms including a ‘cease and desist’ letter/warning; civil enforcement proceedings; or referral to enforcement agencies such as the Business Software Alliance (BSA). Depending on the nature of the case, we may request your continued cooperation in helping resolve the issue.
More Information on Software Licensing
For more information on licensing issues or requires any assistance for internal auditing, you may contact the Software Licensing Team:
|
