NJ Automotive Dealer Pays Over $97,200 to Settle Claims of Unlicensed Software Use

WASHINGTON, March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Business Software Alliance (BSA), the voice of the world's commercial software industry, today announced a settlement with Pine Belt Automotive, Inc. of Toms River, NJ.  Pine Belt Auto paid $97,218 to BSA to settle claims that it had unlicensed copies of Microsoft and Symantec software installed on its computers.  As part of the settlement agreement, the company agreed to delete all unlicensed copies of software from its computers, acquire any licenses necessary to become compliant, and commit to implementing stronger software asset management (SAM) practices.  BSA was alerted to the unlicensed software use by a confidential report made on its web site www.nopiracy.com.

Pine Belt Automotive is a family of Dealerships in the NJ area that has been operating for over 24 years.  The company deals in several major automotive brands.  

"Pine Belt Automotive had started an internal compliance program several months before it was notified of the BSA claims and worked fully with BSA in resolving issues of unlicensed software use," said Ernie Marino, Operations Manager of the company.  "Performing the software audit allowed us to maximize our IT efficiency and helped us to protect our own software assets."

"All businesses need to be certain they have adequate licenses for all software installed on their computers," said Jenny Blank, BSA's Senior Director of Legal Affairs.  "Proper software asset management helps to maximize a company's IT investment and ensure the highest level of software security.  Unfortunately, the use of unlicensed software is a significant issue that impacts the technology industry and ultimately jeopardizes the spirit of innovation and creativity that is so critical to success."  

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About BSA

The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world.  BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace.  Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world.  BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.  BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Corel, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation, Microsoft, Minitab, Quark, Quest Software, Rosetta Stone, Siemens, Sybase, Symantec, and The MathWorks.

SOURCE Business Software Alliance