what would scooby do

Got a call from Federation Against Software Theft yesterday - they want to come in and "discuss licencing and current UK legislation etc"

Now, I'm totally not bothered about them coming in as we are fully licenced (MS enterprise agreement etc etc) - but I have a funny feeling they just want to come in and sell us services such as licence management and consultancy. If this is the cast I'd be very annoyed as they come across as a semi-official body with certain powers etc etc..

Has anyone else had such a call - if so what did they say in the meeting ?

<uninstalls paint shop pro from pc>

David_Wallis

We have been audited at microsofts request

Proving you have licences is hard! - Need Physical Proof of licences!

what would scooby do

We where audited by BSI last year (Microsoft) and got certificates to prove compliance back then.

I'm not worried about licencing - just want to know what FAST's true motives are.

BlkKnight

WWSD - they are scammers comming down to try and flog you some software to do auditing for you.

We had them round a couple of times last year. Don't panic.

SJ_Skyline

They will first ask if you are compliant, they will then ask you to prove your compliance, they will then try to flog you tools to prove your compliance.

I suggest hoisting a jolly roger over your desk and wearing an eyepatch to the meeting

They are the biggest pirates out there, being an official body with a mandate but also a being a profit making organisation.


Mind you, I have set them on other companies before now!

AudiMan

I had them in a couple of years back, they are the crooks !!!, they have NO legal powers (as I understand it) and just try an flog you software for license management, if you are fully complient and have no problem being able to prove it, then just do an online statement with BSA, then tell FAST to do one !, if they want to get plod involved for a couple of Winzip licenses which you might have missed, then let em'.
They ring me at least once a year, I just tell em' to s*d off.

Ian..

what would scooby do

Cheers dudes - I will be calling them on Monday morning with some of advice of my own on what part of their body will become compliant

JohnnyRob

These guys do a lot of work with Trading standards and regional police forces when both run operations combating piracy. They also conduct their own investigations which they pass on to Law enforcement once the evidential line is crossed. They also provide expert witness' and valuable expertise in examining goods and complile cutrrent trend / profile reports...

The dealings I have had with them I can only say they came over as very professional and capable, but as you've probably guessed I am not employed in the private sector...