Re: licensing and lawyers

[Anthony W Ferguson <ferguson@columbia.edu>]

Am I missing something?  The fines were for pirating software.  Pam
Matthews' comment was regarding the lack of need for lawyers to look at
every agreement.  

Anthony W. Ferguson
Associate University Librarian
514 Butler
Columbia University Libraries MC1103
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027
Tel. 212-854-7401
Fax. 212-854-9099 (new fax number!!!!!!!!!!!)
Net: ferguson@Columbia.edu

___________________________________________-

On Fri, 10 Mar 2000 Adele_Bane-1@sbphrd.com wrote:

> I'm compelled to respond to the posting by Pam Matthews which stated in
> part:
> 
> "our Finance and Administration officers are now noticing that lawyers'
> time doesn't come cheap and are thinking about not having any agreements
> reviewed by counsel.  They don't seem to think they'll get sued -- after
> all, no one has yet, right?"
> 
> I would suggest you refer them to this recent Philadelphia Inquirer article:
> 
>      Unlicensed-software claim is costly to Temple
> 
>      Philadelphia Inquirer, March 3, 2000, C1-2
> 
>      According to the Inquirer, Temple University has agreed to pay
> $100,000 to settle claims that unlicensed software had been installed on
> campus computers.  Temple is not admitting to copyright infringement, but
> is paying "to avoid the time and expense of protracted litigation."
> 
>      The claim against Temple was brought forward by the Business Software
> Alliance, a nonprofit organization that polices software licensing and
> piracy, based on a tip on it's antipiracy hot line.  According to an
> Alliance spokesperson, Temple is not alone receiving such fines.  Other
> educational institutions to pay these settlements include:
> 
>           -Berks Technical Institute:              $102,500 in April, 1998
> 
>           -Los Angeles Unified School District:    $300,000
> 
> In our corporate environment, we routinely have a lawyer review database
> and ejournal contracts to verify, among other things, the "permitted uses"
> of the content.  The digital environment has increased the protectionist
> feelings of content providers, and we are being safe as opposed to the
> alternative.
> 
> Good luck with your campaign.  You are totally justified in your concerns.
> 
> Adele Bane, Senior Librarian
> SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals R&D