Microsoft cracks down on UK licences

THE SOFTWARE giant, Microsoft has decided to get nasty with medium sized businesses who do not keep their software licences up to date.

According to ComputerWorld, Vole has sent out a series of letters threatening legal action using its agents the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

Ram Dhaliwal, Microsoft's licensing programs manager in the UK said the move was to "spark off the engagement" with its customers.

Until recently Vole has asked to send people round to "audit their software", which is a polite way of saying coming around and checking that all the software is legal.

Most companies allow this to happen, but three percent tell the Vole to go forth and multiply. Under the new scheme Vole will send three snotty letters over three weeks. The last two letters warn that the case could be turned over the BSA, which could pursue legal action.

The Vole is trying the scheme out in the UK first, although it is not saying why. Perhaps it is a fear of more litigious North Americans armed with handguns. µ