SIIA Awards $25,000 in One Month for Workplace Software Piracy Reports

Individuals Drive SIIA's Fight Against Software & Content Piracy

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, announced today that it paid $25,000 in rewards during April 2011 to three individuals who reported cases of corporate end-user software or content piracy. The SIIA Corporate Anti-Piracy Program uses verifiable tips to launch piracy investigations.

"SIIA's Corporate Anti-Piracy Program is fueled by people who do the right thing and tell us about software and content piracy in the workplace," Keith Kupferschmid, General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property.  "We paid out $25,000 last month because three individuals witnessed illegal activity in their workplace and took immediate action by reporting it to SIIA.  Thanks to conscientious sources such as these, SIIA leads the industry's most aggressive anti-piracy campaign."

SIIA protects the identities of whistleblowers—making it safe for individuals to report software and content piracy taking place in the workplace.  One anonymous reward recipient who provided valuable information to SIIA said, "I believe pirating software is no different than a company stealing money from one of its vendors, customers or employees.  Companies should pay for software just like they pay their electric bill."

"Workplace piracy is a prevalent problem that adversely affects the economy," continued Kupferschmid. "When organizations use software and content without a proper license, it hurts our technology industry, jeopardizes jobs and drives up prices for law-abiding consumers and businesses."

The SIIA Corporate Anti-Piracy Program pursues cases of software and content piracy that take place within an organization. Such piracy often occurs when software has been installed or content is being copied and/or distributed by an organization that does not have a license, or has insufficient licenses from the publisher.

The SIIA Corporate Anti-Piracy Program works with sources who are willing to tell SIIA that a particular organization has copies of illegal software or content. Through its Anti-Piracy Reward Program, SIIA offers rewards to eligible individuals who report verifiable instances of corporate software or content piracy. Rewards range from $500 for a settlement of $10,000 to $1 million for cases with settlement amounts over $20 million.

Since SIIA's Anti-Piracy Reward Program began in 2003, no other trade association has given out more rewards in an effort to combat software and content piracy.

How to Report Corporate Software or Content Piracy

Sources can report corporate software piracy by e-mail ([email protected]), telephone (1.800.388.7478), or the Internet (www.siia.net/piracy/report). Usually the source is a current or former employee of the firm, an SIIA member company representative, vendor, or a person with first-hand knowledge about a company's IT operations.

About SIIA

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 500 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit: www.siia.net.

About SIIA Anti-Piracy

The Software & Information Industry Association's Anti-Piracy Division conducts a comprehensive, industry-wide campaign to fight software and content piracy. The pro-active campaign is premised on the notion that one must balance enforcement with education in order to be effective.

SIIA Communications Contact: Laura Greenback, 202.789.4461, [email protected]

PR Agency Contact: Beth Dozier, 202.429.1883, [email protected]

SOURCE Software & Information Industry Association