Unannounced Software Audit Results
in $50,000 Settlement of Lawsuit
with Small Texas Company

September 9, 1998 - Washington, D.C. - The Business Software Alliance (BSA) today announced that CBS Payroll, Inc. - a small payroll processing company headquartered in Fort Worth, TX - has paid the software watchdog group $50,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging that the company had unlicensed software installed on its computers. Following a call to BSA's toll-free anti-piracy hotline, 1-888 NO PIRACY, BSA filed a software copyright infringement action and obtained a court order authorizing BSA to conduct an unannounced audit of the company's computers in the presence of U.S. Marshals. The  court also entered a temporary restraining order, prohibiting the company from deleting the software on its computers.

The audit confirmed a shortage of licenses for programs published by Novell, Symantec and Microsoft -- all members of the BSA. In addition to the $50,000 settlement payment, Payroll Solutions agreed to delete all unlicensed software programs, purchase any additional software necessary to be in compliance with copyright laws in the future and strengthen its existing software management policies.

"Many of BSA's investigations involve companies with fewer than 30 computers. The lesson here is that it costs all companies much more to correct the software shortage than it would have cost to buy it in the first place. All companies need to establish and maintain rules and regulations when it comes to software on
their computer systems," said Bob Kruger, BSA's vice president of enforcement. "BSA urges all companies to address this issue before they become the target of a BSA investigation - and an unannounced audit."

"BSA commends CBS Payroll for its responsible handling of this matter," continued Kruger. "The company cooperated fully in resolving the lawsuit and demonstrated a commitment to correcting the problem."

Since 1988, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has been the voice of the world's leading software developers before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA worldwide members include Adobe, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Lotus Development, Microsoft, Novell and Symantec.