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BSA demands EU legislation on software piracy

By editorial@silicon.com

Published: Wednesday 13 October 1999

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has written to the European Parliament and heads of EU member states demanding action on software piracy.

The letter, written on behalf of software industry leaders, calls for the adoption of a five-point action plan.

First, the BSA wants the punishments for forging software to be harmonised across the EU. It also wants the EU to set up an agency devoted to stopping copyright-related crime. Thirdly, the letter calls for an investigation into CD plants and, if necessary, the enforcement of licensing and mandatory ID codes.

Penultimately, the BSA wants new entrants to the EU to prove they have a good track record in intellectual property. And finally, it wants European and national institutions to set a good example in removing all illegal software from their premises.

Brussels and Strasbourg have yet to reply to the demands.