Federal agencies have a new weapon to use in the war on software piracy declared by the Clinton administration: A step-by-step guidebook on managing software.
Last year, President Clinton signed an executive order requiring agencies to ensure that they are not violating software copyright laws. The order stipulated that agencies must adopt procedures that prevent acquiring, reproducing, distributing or transmitting software through illegal methods.
To help managers with the daunting task of tracking software, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) released a to-do list for managing software policy Wednesday at a government technology trade show in Washington. Among other recommendations, BSA urged agencies to train employees to recognize illegal software, take inventory of all software on their computers and conduct surprise spot checks to monitor compliance.
"Regrettably, human nature is such that often the element of surprise is necessary to obtain a clear picture of behavior," the guidebook says. According to the guide, managers should be alert to employee behavior such as:
- Using one software copy to install a program on multiple computers.
- Copying disks for installation or distribution.
- Using upgrade offers without having an original copy of the software being upgraded.
- Installing agency software on home computers and not deleting it when employees leave their positions.
The BSA "Government Guide for Software Management" is being distributed to agencies and departments through the Chief Information Officers Council and other groups involved in technology management.
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