In a recent software audit of 2,500 PCs at a UK financial institution FAST discovered over 5,800 illegal digital music files.
Most of these files were illegally downloaded by people in the IT department - those normally tasked with combating the problem.

You may have read in the press recently that The Federation has secured court orders against 10 ISPs, ordering them to supply user information for 150 targets illegally sharing software. Here is some information about the driving force behind the success

Operation Tracker
The Federation Against Software Theft (www.fast.org.uk) (‘The Federation’) is taking action against a large number of computer users who are breaking copyright law by sharing software on the internet.

Applications may be made to the court in order to uncloak each target. The orders allow ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to hand over personal contact details, at which point The Federation may investigate and prosecute.

What is Operation Tracker and how does it work?
Operation Tracker finds illegal upload activity; whether from an individual or company connection to the internet. It is CCTV for the Internet. If company directors know of such activity, they may be ultimately responsible.
Targets have been identified by an undercover investigator, working covertly for The Federation.

What happens next?
Identities that have been realised from the ISPs through court action, can be investigated by The Federation. Ramifications may include payment for the file sharing.
The Federation will commence a second wave of investigations.

What is the legal basis for the court action?
The activities are unlicensed with the process giving rise to a number of infringing acts actionable as both civil infringements and criminal offences. File sharers are in jeopardy of legal action based on all or some of the following:

• Communication to the public (contrary to Section 20 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 ('CDPA'))
• Copying (contrary to Section 16 CDPA)
• Joint tortfeasorship
• Criminal liability (under Section 107 CDPA)

State of Software Licensing Compliance & Piracy/b>
29th July, London.