FM companies may pay the price for using unlicensed software. Construction servicing firm Plot Build Ltd and architects firm Paul Brookes have settled with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) for use of illegal software on their company network.

The two companies have agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to BSA - a signal to the business community, in particular the building sector, that BSA remains determined to come down hard on companies that continue to use illegal software.

Mike Newton, campaign relations manager for BSA UK said: "In 1998, software piracy cost the UK software industry over £290 million. This is damaging to the economy and smaller developers and businesses. Apart from it being bad practice, using software without a licence leaves you vulnerable to fines which businesses so often can ill afford."

The BSA offers a reward of up to £5,000 via its hotline (0800 510 510) to any person providing information on a company using illegal software, in recognition of their support in the fight against software theft.

Anna Lagerkvist