Microsoft Ireland in partnership with Deloitte & Touche today launched a new software designed to help Irish companies ensure that they are compliant with the Copyright and Related Rights Act which came into law this year.
The Copyright Act tightens the law on the copyright and distribution of computer programmes and states two new rights; "reproduction right" and "making available right".
According to "reproduction right", the storage of a computer programme on a hard disc, or in any other format, without the consent of the copyright owner will constitute copyright infringement.
The "making available right" states that if any software is made available to the public over the Internet, without the consent of the copyright owner, this will constitute an infringement. Businesses that infringe the copyright Act may be liable for prosecution.
Referring to a recent survey by Mercator Market Research, Ms Leon McCarthy of Microsoft Ireland said: "The majority of Irish businesses feel that it is very important to be compliant with software legislation. Yet only a small percentage (14 per cent) know the exact number of licences they should have."
As part of the Software Asset Management programme Microsoft Ireland has developed a guide and CD-Rom to assist businesses that want to check if they are fully compliant.
The Software Asset Management pack contains a step-by-step guide explaining how to check if a company is compliant, including a CD-ROM that will remotely check the software packages installed.
In addition to developing the Software Asset Management programme, Microsoft Ireland and Deloitte & Touche will conduct seminars in Belfast, Dublin and Cork in early October.
Microsoft Ireland will issue the Software Asset Management pack to its 7,000 Irish customers over the coming week.
If other businesses wish to receive this pack they can call 1800 201 033