The Business Software Alliance wants you! BSA is offering an End User Reward Program. Basically, if you report “software piracy” to the BSA, and the BSA investigates and determines piracy exists then you may receive an award. The BSA defines piracy as: “Unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted software; Purchasing one single copy of software and installing it on multiple computers; and Copying, downloading, sharing, selling or installing multiple copies onto personal or business computers is software theft.” If you submit a piracy report to the BSA, your information is apparently kept confidential. If you plan to participate, I suggest you read the terms carefully. Here is the data on award fees which is apparently calculated based on settlement amount: Reward Payment Guidelines |
Settlement paid by Company | Potential Reward payment |
$15,000 - $100,000 | Up to $5,000 |
$100,001 - $200,000 | Up to $10,000 |
$200,001 - $400,000 | Up to $20,000 |
$400,001 - $600,000 | Up to $30,000 |
$600,001 - $800,000 | Up to $40,000 |
$800,001 - $1,000,000 | Up to $50,000 |
$1,000,001 - $2,000,000 | Up to $100,000 |
$2,000,001 - $3,000,000 | Up to $150,000 |
$3,000,001 - $5,000,000 | Up to $250,000 |
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | Up to $500,000 |
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | Up to $750,000 |
Over $15,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
Is this a good idea? Are there other similar programs?
