The Waggoners Settles Suit Involving Software Usage

The Waggoners Trucking, a vehicle hauler based in Billings, Mont., said it paid $300,000 to a group that protects software copyrights to settle claims it used unlicensed copies of several popular applications.The Business Software Alliance said it received a complaint alleging The Waggoners had unlicensed copies of software from Microsoft Corp., Symantec Corp. and Adobe Systems.Besides paying the fine, The Waggoners agreed to tighten its software management practices and delete any unlicensed copies from its computers. Company President David Waggoner said the firm “has never intentionally violated software laws and will do what is necessary to ensure this does not occur in the future.”“We hope that this settlement will highlight for others the high price of infringement and the importance of compliance,” said Jenny Blank, BSA’s director of enforcement.After searching more than 300 computers in 25 different locations, the company determined that it lacked the proper documentation for the software applications. Many of the unlicensed programs were on computers that belonged to two auto haulers acquired by the company in 2004, Waggoner said.“It became apparent to us that the cost of battling this well-funded organization (BSA) exceeded the likely benefit, and we settled,” Waggoner said.This story appeared in the March 5 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.