The Business Software Alliance said in a statement it is urging companies to adopt its Software Asset Management Advantage Program to receive the SAM Advantage Certificate which awards one-year immunity from BSA-initiated enforcement actions.

The program seeks to recognize organizations, from various industries such as business process outsourcing, manufacturing and construction/engineering, that have successfully implemented a sound software management practice.

BSA, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of licensed software, recently issued SAM Advantage Certificate to 133 companies.

The group said, however, that the number of those awarded immunity is very minimal compared to the thousands of business organizations operating in the Philippines.

Many companies remain complacent and ignorant about managing their software properly, it said, and leave a lot of security risks, including the possibility of using unlicensed software.

Hwee Chong Ng, chairman of BSA Philippines Committee, said in the statement that company officers should learn to be conscious of software installed on their computers and how they are used, as they will be the ones liable if their company is caught using pirated software.

The BSA said it has been promoting the adoption of SAM in businesses to help companies take full advantage of their IT resources, increase business productivity and security and avoid the risk of using unlicensed software.

Those who wish for more information may log on to www.bsa.org/philippines.*

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