The Business Software Alliance (“BSA”), a trade association representing a number of software manufacturers, routinely updates its published member list list of members on its website. Staying current on the BSA's list of active members is important because the list indicates which software publishers may be included in a BSA-initiated software audit. The BSA generally provides in its initial notice letter to a business an enumerated list of the software publishers at issue in the matter. However, new publishers will become members of the BSA, and will be included in audits initiated by BSA members. Knowing which software publishers the BSA represents will help a business respond appropriately to a BSA audit.
Curently, Corel is listed as a BSA member. Corel publishes the widely-used software CorelDRAW Graphics Suite ® and the office productivity suite WordPerfect Office ®. EMC Corporation is a new addition to the BSA's list. EMC publishes the document management product ApplicationXtender and its web interface, WebXtender.
Siemens PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) recently acquired UGS Corporation, making both BSA members. Other new members include Synopsis, Inc., SAP, Quest Software, Inc., Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), Monotype Imaging, and Quark Inc., producers of QuarkXpress ®.
Keeping an eye on the BSA member list will provide your business with visibility into what publishers would be implicated in a BSA audit. Counsel experienced with handling BSA matters can help your business manage its software licensing and avoid potential losses associated with a BSA investigation.