The BSA Helpline Provides a Secure Channel for Whistleblowers to Report Instances of Unlicensed Software Use in Their Organisations
BSA | The Software Alliance announced the launch of a helpline to help businesses in the engineering, infrastructure and construction industries in Malaysia cope with challenges related to software copyright compliance. The launch of the hotline is on the heels of reports in Malaysia and the region about incidences of “ghost piracy” that have grown rampant among these industries in the wake of the pandemic. Similar BSA helplines are being launched in Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand.
“The primary reason we launched the helpline is because genuine, licensed software is the first line of defence in cyber security,” said BSA Senior Director Tarun Sawney. “BSA wants to help as many organisations as possible recognise the benefits of using licensed software. Unlicensed software is not safe. And particularly when professionals are designing public infrastructure, there is no excuse for carelessness in the kind of software used. As a matter of public and national safety, only licensed, safe, secure software should be employed in construction and engineering design projects.”
BSA sees the hotline as one of the tools in addressing software license compliance – providing an avenue for whistle blowers to report instances of software non-compliance without fear of repercussions. It is thanks to whistle-blowers and tip-offs from company employees that authorities in Malaysia and Thailand discovered cases of ghost piracy in these countries. Ghost piracy, which describes the act of remotely accessing unlicensed software, has been particularly rampant among design professionals working remotely from home on engineering, construction and animation design projects.
In June, the Enforcement Division of Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) conducted its ninth raid targeting ghost piracy. Raids were carried out on an interior design firm and a design and build company in Kedah as well as companies in the manufacturing, precision engineering and construction industries. A total value of about RM657,975 (US$150,000) in unlicensed software, including V-Ray, a 3D rendering software for computer graphics were found installed during these raids.
Professionals working in the design industries are encouraged to call +60 11-3109 7827 to learn more about processes their firms can undertake to improve software license compliance. Representatives responding to the calls will share information and connect callers with software licensing experts who can help ensure that companies are using the appropriate approach to software compliance, and confirm that companies have the right licenses in place to work legally and effectively.
BSA adds that business leaders should take a proactive approach to managing their company’s software assets. This includes communications to staff members about procedures and processes for software use, and a clear directive to avoid use of illegal software. Larger companies are encouraged to implement a Software Asset Management program to ensure compliance.
