Technical Institute Settles Software Copyright Infringement Suit With Software Publishers Association

Pa. College Agrees To Pay Six Figure Settlement

(April 7, 1998 - Washington, DC) - A Pennsylvania-based educational institution, the Berks Technical Institute (BTI), has agreed to pay $102,500 to resolve copyright infringement claims. The claims arose from a software audit that was initiated by the Software Publishers Association (SPA). SPA contacted BTI after receiving allegations of illegal copyright use via the SPA's toll free anti-piracy hotline, (800) 388-7478.

Berks conducted the audit of its software usage and provided the results of that audit - which disclosed unlicensed copies of a number of computer programs - to SPA. Berks then purchased new software to bring itself into compliance with the copyright laws and entered into the negotiations with SPA that led to the settlement announced today.

In announcing the settlement, Peter Beruk, director of North American anti-piracy for SPA, said, "U.S. companies and organizations continue to use and duplicate software illegally. SPA frequently endeavors to settle copyright infringement matters without having to resort to filing a lawsuit, and Berks is to be congratulated for addressing the problem of unlicensed software use when it was brought to its attention."

Beruk continued: "This settlement should send a message to others, including educational institutions, that SPA and its 1200 member companies will not tolerate software piracy. The copyright laws apply fully to schools, and schools should be particularly careful to comply with those laws so they do not set a bad example for their students."

In commenting on the settlement, David Snyder, BTI director, said that the alleged violations were inadvertent and resulted from the lack of a full understanding of the copyright laws by the school's management and staff. He noted that BTI voluntarily provided SPA with the information it sought and took immediate steps to correct the problem. He further stated that BTI plans to adopt some of SPA's educational modules as part of its curriculum.

SPA offers a number of materials for schools, all of which are designed to assist them in complying with the law. SPA distributes a video for students on software piracy, "A Shared Set of Values," along with a set of software piracy policies directed to the education community.

SPA is the principal trade association of the software industry, representing the leading publishers as well as start-up firms in the business, home office, consumer, entertainment and education markets.

SPA supports companies that develop and publish software applications and tools for use on the desktop, client-server networks and the Internet. SPA's 1200 member companies account for 85 percent of U.S. revenue for packaged and online software.

Hundreds of these companies look to SPA to protect their intellectual property rights around the world. SPA combines strong anti-piracy education and enforcement efforts through such programs as its piracy hotline (800) 388-7478, the Certified Software Manager (CSM) seminars, Internet in the Workplace courses, SPAudit, KeyAudit, the "Software Management Guide," videos, posters and other awareness materials.