According to the software industry association, Nationwide Accident was in the final stages of a software audit at the time it was investigated, but had not yet made the necessary purchases to ensure compliance.
Although the company was quick to realise its responsibility and gave BSA its full co-operation during the investigation, the case illustrates the importance and urgency of ensuring software compliance, says the BSA.
"If a company is struggling to ensure software compliance we would strongly advise them to come to the BSA for help," said Siobhan Carroll, Regional Manager Northern Europe at BSA.
"If a company puts its hands up to the BSA and admits there are problems with their licences or with their software then they are effectively protecting themselves from blame and they are protecting themselves from us investigating their software licensing at a later date," she added. "We can provide advice and support, as well as point them in the right direction to receive guidance and support from organisations that can help them to properly audit their software."