Date: 13 Jan 93 18:24:26 EST
From: Gordon Meyer <72307.1502@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject: File 3--SPA has Banner Year

The Software Publishers Association announced last week that 1992
marked the most active year for its anti-piracy activities to date.
Working on behalf of its members, the SPA investigates cases of
software copyright infringement involving corporations, educational
and non-profit institutions, commercial dealers, and bulletin boards.

Most investigations begin with a call to the SPA anti-piracy hotline
(1-800-388-7478).  Information gathered from telephone conversations
are then reviewed by the SPA's in-house litigation staff.  Depending
on the strength of the information and the severity of the case, legal
action can be taken using cease and desist letters, corporate audits,
or Ex-Parte seizure orders.  In 1992, up to 30 phone calls per day
poured into the hotline.  Based on these leads, the SPA took action
against 747 organizations.  This included 218 audits and lawsuits
(resulting in the payment of $3.9 million in fines and penalties) and
529 cease and desist letters.  Of the audits and lawsuits filed, 95
percent were corporate cases, while the remaining 5 percent of
defendants comprised bulletin board services (BBS), training
facilities, and schools.  Also in 1992, the SPA received its largest
settlement to date in an audit action.

The company, whose identity must remain anonymous, paid nearly
$500,000 in settlement of a case involving 66 SPA members.  During
1992, the SPA supported legislation that elevates the willful copying
of computer software from a misdemeanor to a felony.  The new law,
passed by Congress last October, targets professional software pirates
who make many copies of software and resell them at low prices;
illegal bulletin board operators who distribute pirated software; and
PC dealers who offer "free" but illegal software to hardware
purchasers.  Nearly 25,000 copies of a 12-minute informational
videotape entitled "It's Just Not Worth the Risk," and 20,000 copies
of an 8-minute educational video, "Don't Copy That Floppy," targeting
computer-using schoolchildren, were also distributed in 1992.  Lastly,
the association maintains an active anti-piracy speakers' bureau.
Last year, SPA representatives delivered 112 anti-piracy presentations
across North America.
(reprinted from Z*Net #486 1/9/93 with permission)

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