One in every four copies of business-application software is used illegally. Some of this misuse is deliberate. But you can easily become non-compliant without meaning to. For example:
- Does your IT staff use a common image for deploying software?
- Have you recently undergone a merger or acquisition?
- Is the purchasing function in your company decentralized?
Conditions like these cultivate accidental piracy, or the inadvertent use of unlicensed software. That's why we created this site—to give you the information you need to get and stay legal.
The SAM Solution
Software asset management (SAM) involves establishing procedures for acquiring, deploying, using, and supporting your software applications. A key element of any formal SAM program is software compliance—or making sure that you are adhering to your license agreements.
Why Does SAM Matter?
The benefits of SAM are clear: smoother processes, lower costs, and tighter security across your organization. On the other hand, the consequences of not managing your software assets are severe. If you do not comply with your license agreement, you can get nailed with expensive audits, steep fines, and other harsh penalties—even if you're completely unaware of any unlicensed use. In these cases, ignorance is not an adequate defense.
SIIA Software Management Guide
This guide, published by the Software & Information Industry Association, describes the legal and managerial issues surrounding software compliance, software metering, and software asset management.
Download the SIAA Software Management Guide (Available in PDF Format)
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Licensing Basics
When you acquire software, you don't own the software itself. Instead, you purchase the right to use the software. A license agreement governs your use.
Learn More
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