The recent Target data breach, one of the largest breaches in history, appears to have been initiated after intruders used stolen vendor credentials to access Target’s point-of-sale system and install malware.

Many online service providers are well aware that Microsoft’s Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) entails a licensing framework that can be difficult to manage.

The end of the year is a busy time for software publishers and entities like the BSA and the SIIA to resolve an audit target's copyright infringement dispute by entering into settlement agreements.

When a consumer or a business purchase software, it is critical to retain the software license as proof of the rights conveyed as part of the license.

Software publishers and entities like the BSA| The Software Alliance and the SIIA regularly audit companies to investigate copyright infringement claims.

The second mistake in this 3-part series applies to a broader range of businesses, and involves improperly licensed computer software.

Software publishers have increasingly identified software audits as potential revenue-generating exercises, which has led to a rise in the number of companies targeted.

When a publisher sends an audit notice, many companies wonder why they have to cooperate with the audit.

In a typical Microsoft audit of software licensed under perpetual licenses, the auditors usually will compare installations of Microsoft products against licenses owned.

A software audit typically resolves in one of three ways: a dismissal, a settlement, or litigation.

Software publishers that try to require an indemnification clause from their customers for use of the publisher's software are often met with resistance.

In many software development agreements, the customer has to accept the software before the contract is complete.

When it comes to software license compliance, being compliant with the publisher’s licensing rules can be daunting enough.

An Autodesk settlement agreement contains the typical payment and release language, but sometimes the agreements also contain non-monetary provisions that audit targets must follow.

For many Oracle products, like Database, the license agreement or ordering documents contain minimum license requirements.

Software delivered by a vendor as a service can help reduce costs related to software acquisition.

While copyright infringement is a significant concern for many businesses, it is important that trademark infringement is not overlooked.

Technology departments are continuously looking for ways to reduce costs related to software.

Many companies faced with software compliance issues will choose to perform their own audit in advance of a formal audit by the publisher.

Software auditors such as KPMG, Deloitte and PriceWaterhouseCoopers like to have things their way.