A label company near Chester has handed over £24,800 after it was caught by the Business Software Alliance using unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office.

The BSA was contacted by a whistleblower who asked them to investigate the company. Disgruntled ex-employees are a common source of BSA tip-offs.

System Labelling Limited was caught using dodgy copies of Microsoft Office and other Microsoft products.

Michala Wardell, Chair, BSA UK Committee, said the case showed that using unlicensed software was a false economy. Apart from the financial penalties, she also warned that unlicensed products are likely to be unpatched and at risk of viruses. ®