Microsoft Audit Case Studies

Represented Washington state-based managed services and cloud provider regarding Microsoft licensing requirements and responses to audit findings and information requests in a SPLA audit matter. Principal issues addressed included identification and evaluation of appropriate alternatives to audit materials requested by auditors, as well as application of changing license metrics for Windows Server and the implications of those changes to the client's audit-related financial exposure. Assisted the client with evaluation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Represented North Carolina-based managed services and cloud provider regarding Microsoft licensing requirements and responses to audit findings and information requests in a SPLA audit matter. Principal issues addressed included identification and evaluation of appropriate alternatives to audit materials requested by auditors, challenges to the auditors' historical usage-extrapolation methodologies (including consideration of historical over-reporting) and application of customer-supplied licenses to support Microsoft product usage in physically dedicated environments. Assisted the client with evaluation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Defended Louisiana-based managed services and cloud provider against over-reaching audit findings and settlement demands in a Microsoft SPLA audit matter. Principal issues addressed included identification and application of appropriate license metrics to SQL Server installations, and exclusion of historical usage calculations for virtualization hosts that previously were physically dedicated to particular end users. Assisted the client with evaluation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Represented Pennsylvania-based managed services and cloud provider regarding Microsoft licensing requirements and responses to audit findings and information requests in a SPLA audit matter. Principal issues addressed included identification and evaluation of appropriate alternatives to audit materials requested by auditors, application of Active Directory security groups to control usage of SAL-licensed products, identification and exclusion of products not reportable under SPLA, and the client's requirement for an extended settlement-payment period. Assisted the client with evaluation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Defended Michigan-based managed services and cloud provider against over-reaching audit findings and settlement demands in a Microsoft SPLA audit matter. Principal issues addressed included challenges to the auditors' historical usage-extrapolation methodologies, and application of reduced-cost academic pricing to usage associated with qualified educational end users. Assisted the client with evaluation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Defended Ontario-based, global provider online software solutions against over-reaching audit findings and settlement demands in a Microsoft volume licensing audit matter. Principal issues addressed included identification of passive software deployments not requiring incremental licenses, correction to erroneous licensed user counts, application of licenses acquired through Microsoft Partner benefits, and exclusion of decommissioned and unintentional product deployments. Assisted the client with evaluation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Represented North Carolina-based, medical billing services provider in a Microsoft volume-licensing audit. Assisted the client in engaging with third-party auditors hired by Microsoft, gathering, reviewing and transmitting relevant information requested by the auditors, reviewing and vetting draft audit findings, and negotiating an acceptable resolution with Microsoft. Principal issues addressed included internal analysis of audit materials prior to submission to auditors, the auditors' failure to recognize non-functional product installations, Microsoft's pursuit of reimbursement for audit costs to which it was not entitled, and careful review of Microsoft's proposed settlement terms.

Represented southeastern hospital group in its Microsoft SAM engagement and discovered a number of license compliance gaps during the process. Prepared an effective license position and made recommendations to remediate the group’s software licensing gaps and streamline its network to maximize its licenses and reduce costs.  Interfaced with Microsoft during the engagement to avoid escalation and resolve the matter by placing a True-Up order to remediate gaps.  

Represented Italian managed services and cloud provider regarding Microsoft licensing requirements and responses to audit findings and information requests in a SPLA audit matter. Principal issues addressed included customer-licensed deployments in a multi-tenant hosting environment and the client's lack of administrative access to those resources, as well as compliance calculations that did not recognize credit for over-reporting. Assisted the client with calculation of its effective license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Defended managed services provider in connection with Microsoft SPLA audit Evaluated and worked to correct & amend the auditor’s SPLA-audit findings. Principal issues addressed included customer-licensed deployments in physically dedicated hosting environments and inadvertent, historical over-reporting of Exchange SALs. Consulted with the client regarding Microsoft licensing requirements. Assisted the client to evaluate its Microsoft license position, and negotiated more appropriate audit-settlement terms with Microsoft.

Defended infrastructure-as-service provider in connection with a Microsoft SPLA audit.  Issues addressed included the auditors' finding regarding historical usage of SQL Server in a virtualization environment that erroneously was assumed to include high-availability functionality. Assisted the client to evaluate its Microsoft license position, and negotiated more appropriate audit-settlement terms with Microsoft.

Defended Healthcare solutions provider in connection with Microsoft SPLA audit. Evaluated and worked to correct & amend the auditor’s SPLA-audit findings. Issues addressed included deployments of Microsoft products on machines licensed for internal, development and testing usage (that therefore should not be counted for SPLA licensing), as well as deployments on customer-facing machines that nevertheless did not constitute a commercial-hosting use case. Consulted with the client regarding Microsoft licensing requirements. Assisted the client to evaluate its Microsoft license position, and negotiated more appropriate audit-settlement terms with Microsoft.

Advised US-based healthcare payment network on gathering audit data and responding to information requests from Microsoft’s auditors. Evaluated and objected to auditor’s SPLA-audit findings. Principal issue pertained to SQL Server deployments used in a passive-failover use case for which the auditors detected concurrent usage during data collection. Consulted with the client regarding other server-based Microsoft licensing requirements. Assisted the client in evaluating its Microsoft license position, and negotiated favorable audit-settlement terms with Microsoft.

Assisted managed services and hosting provider in a Microsoft SPLA audit conducted by Deloitte.  Evaluated and worked with client to correct and amend Deloitte’s SPLA-audit findings. Assisted client in evaluating its Microsoft effective license position (ELP) and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Consulted Canadian hosting provider regarding Microsoft licensing requirements and responses to preliminary audit findings and information requests in a SPLA audit matter.

Assisted Fort Worth medical services provider in evaluating a response to Microsoft’s license-compliance findings and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Assisted application hosting services provider based in Memphis in responding to Deloitte’s SPLA-audit-information requests and follow-up questions. Deloitte issued audit findings with zero exposure and Microsoft closed the review.

Worked with financial software hosting provider to gather audit data and to respond to information requests from Microsoft’s auditors. Evaluated and worked to correct & amend the auditor’s SPLA-audit findings. Assisted the client in evaluating its Microsoft license position and options for more appropriate audit-settlement terms.

Defended southeast e-mail hosting company in a Microsoft SPLA certified self-audit.

Defended Dallas-area video game studio in a Microsoft certified self-audit.

Defended nationwide hosting services provider in a Microsoft SPLA audit.

Defended international hosted IT infrastructure firm in a Microsoft SPLA audit.

Assisted digital forensics and e-discovery firm with a Microsoft self-audit.

Defended data management and analytics firm in a Microsoft SPLA audit that resulted in no licensing shortfalls or compliance penalties.

Defended home healthcare provider in a Microsoft audit involving heavily contested findings related to Microsoft Office component deployments.

Defended ambulatory care services company in a Microsoft SPLA audit.

Represented health care software vendor in Microsoft audit. Matter resolved confidentially.

Engaged by global email security and compliance company in a Microsoft SPLA compliance audit. Microsoft was represented by their auditors Ernst & Young.

Defended California IT managed services company in a Microsoft SPLA audit.

Defended global semiconductor manufacturer in multiple volume-licensing audits initiated by Microsoft.

Represented Pennsylvania based broadcasting corporation in a Microsoft SAM engagement.

Defended business applications firm for automobile dealerships and finance companies in a Microsoft SPLA audit involving heavily contested findings related to Windows Remote Desktop Services usage.

Represented regional hospital chain in a Microsoft SAM engagement resulting in a true-up purchase with no compliance penalty and a release of all compliance claims.

Assisted northwestern energy company with a Microsoft-funded licensing true-up review and negotiations to resolve compliance concerns.

Defended SaaS solutions firm both in a Microsoft SPLA audit and in a separate volume-licensing audit affecting other hosted solutions.

Assisted east coast IT services firm with Microsoft SPLA audit.

Defended business solutions firm in a Microsoft SPLA certified self-audit.

Defended Minnesota IT services firm in a Microsoft SPLA audit that resulted in no licensing shortfalls or compliance penalties.

Assisted medical IT services firm with a Microsoft SPLA audit.

Defended New Hampshire IT services firm in a Microsoft SPLA audit involving heavily contested findings related to Windows Remote Desktop Services usage.

Defended Midwestern hosting services firm in a Microsoft SPLA audit involving heavily contested findings related to SharePoint usage.

Defended dental financial services company in a Microsoft audit involving heavily contested findings related to Office usage, and assisted the company with a complex license transfer.

Assisted Midwestern data center solutions provider with Microsoft SPLA audit.

Assisted west coast IT services firm with Microsoft SPLA audit.

Represented purchaser of hospital chain in connection with Microsoft licensing following closing of divestiture transaction.  Assisted client with negotiating perpetual license transfer forms from seller and new Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft.  Client saved approximately seven million dollars off Microsoft’s original licensing demand.    

Represented global business services, document management and workflow solutions provider in connection with renegotiating its 36 million dollar Microsoft Enterprise Agreement to accommodate the divestiture of a substantial business unit.   Negotiations included transition services license grant, the right to allocate licenses between entities post-closing, and legal responsibility for data privacy and security risks associated with online services including 365 and Azure. 

Represented a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business in connection with renewal of its almost 40 million dollar Microsoft Enterprise agreement.  Negotiations included custom amendments related to 365 and Azure with emphasis on risk balancing, limitations of liability, price protection, and legal responsibility for data privacy and security. 

Advised global private club management company regarding Microsoft EA negotiations.

Assisted leading non-profit Texas hospital chain with negotiations to resolve contested findings in a Microsoft-funded licensing true-up review and to negotiate custom amendments to Microsoft volume license agreements following a pivotal corporate merger.

Renegotiated Microsoft Enterprise Agreement for leading oilfield services provider.

Assisted IT consulting and support services firm to formulate an appropriate strategy for licensing Microsoft software in a hosting environment.

Represented New York area hospital system in an audit conducted by Microsoft resulting in an out of court settlement and compliance savings of over $1,000,000.

Defended fortune 500 IT Services company in Microsoft audit resulting in a new $34,000,000 Microsoft Enterprise Agreement enrollment including a release of all compliance claims.

Advised global professional services company regarding Microsoft licensing under both SPLA and volume-licensing agreements, and assisted company in negotiating custom amendments to achieve global licensing objectives.

Consulted with client regarding various Microsoft SPLA licensing rules and best practices. Assisted client to gather and review software deployment data and to prepare an evaluation of the client’s SPLA licensing position.

Consulted with client regarding various Microsoft SPLA licensing rules and best practices. Assisted client to gather and review software deployment data and to prepare an evaluation of the client’s SPLA licensing position. Advised client regarding negotiations with Microsoft related to SPLA contract amendments and also related to exposure from historical usage of software in commercial hosting operations.

Advised communication services developer regarding Microsoft licensing requirements related to a hosted telephony solution.       

Assisted financial news giant with global Microsoft licensing health check involving over 50,000 computers.

Advised global travel technology company with Microsoft Enterprise Agreement true-up obligations.

Assisted IT consulting and support services firm in the preparation of customer agreements to accommodate hosted solutions supported by Microsoft SPLA licensing.

Assisted IT infrastructure solutions firm with strategies to ensure compliance with Microsoft SPLA licensing and in preparing customer agreements to accommodate hosted solutions supported by SPLA.

Advised mortgage lending company regarding Microsoft licensing.

Advised companies regarding Microsoft SPLA licensing requirements in connection with Microsoft audit dispute.

Advised global enterprise with more than 4,000 computers in connection with Microsoft audit related to true-up and affiliate enrollment provisions of Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.

Assisted global IT security firm in formulating a strategy for licensing Microsoft software on network-security appliances and in avoiding an audit initiated by Microsoft.

Defended Pennsylvania cloud services firm in a Microsoft SPLA audit, and also advised the firm related to prospective SPLA compliance and customer-facing agreements.

Advised business consulting firm regarding Microsoft licensing.

Advised network and communications equipment provider regarding Microsoft licensing.

Assisted east coast IT services firm with its Microsoft SPLA licensing.

Assisted regulatory document management firm with Microsoft SPLA licensing.

Assisted global marketing firm with Microsoft licensing.

Assisted digital marketing services firm with Microsoft licensing.

Assisted global business advisory firm with Microsoft SPLA licensing.

Advised perishable distributor software developer regarding Microsoft licensing.

Defended medical practice management firm in a BSA matter involving primarily Microsoft and Adobe software. BSA was represented by Venable LLP.  Because BSA’s initial demand was rife with inaccuracies, supplemental audit materials and corrections were submitted to BSA. The matter resolved confidentially for significantly less than BSA’s original demand.

Represented packing machinery manufacturer in a BSA audit.  Conducted an audit of the client’s network in response to a BSA audit letter from Warner Law Group.  At issue were the alleged number of unlicensed installations of Microsoft Windows and Office.  Reviewed and analyzed entitlement information and submitted audit results to the BSA. Received a demand of less than $8,000 and negotiated a resolution without penalty contingent on execution of compliance certificate.

Small sports promotional company was targeted by the BSA specifically for Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Enterprise, and Microsoft Windows. Scott & Scott conducted an audit.  Client was unable to locate a license for a very small number of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office products. The BSA failed to properly apply licenses for Microsoft Office and Adobe Suites, and after extended negotiation, the BSA ultimately accepted a large part of the entitlement information provided. Scott & Scott negotiated a confidential resolution.

Payment card industry security solutions firm hired Scott & Scott, LLP to defend a Business Software Alliance audit centered on Microsoft products. After months of negotiations the BSA agreed to a significantly reduced settlement demand.  Klemchuk Kubasta represented the BSA.

Freight logistics firm selected Scott & Scott, LLP to defend a Business Software Alliance audit. Negotiations centered on the number of alleged unlicensed installations of Microsoft Office products.  Weir Johnson represented the BSA.  The matter settled for far less than the opening settlement demand.

Defended full service construction company against allegations of copyright infringement made by Troutman Sanders on behalf of the Business Software Alliance.  Negotiations centered on the number of alleged unlicensed installations of different Autodesk and Microsoft products.  The case was settled out-of-court for significantly less than the BSA’s initial settlement demand.

Represented Ohio technical services firm in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance.  BSA, represented by Troutman Sanders, alleged there were unlicensed installations of Microsoft Office products. Within three months the matter was settled for considerably less than the BSA’s opening demand.

Represented Canadian printing firm in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance. Smart & Biggar represented the BSA. At issue were the alleged number of unlicensed intallations of Autodesk, Adobe and Microsoft products. The case settled out-of-court for 40% of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended California based aerospace manufacturing specialist against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance. The BSA, represented by Royer, Cooper, Cohen, Braunfeld, LLC, alleged there were unlicensed installations of Mastercam and Microsoft Office. After five months of negotiations, the cased settled for a great deal less than the BSA’s opening settlement demand.

Represented large California answering service in an audit requested by the Business Software Alliance. After a year of negotiations around the alleged number of unlicensed installations of Adobe, Microsoft and Symantec products, the case settled for a mere 12% of the BSA’s opening settlement demand. The BSA was represented by Klemchuk Kubasta LLP.

Defended international freight shipping company against allegations of copyright infringement. The Business Software Alliance, represented by Troutman Sanders, alleged there were unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office installed. After six months of negotiations, the case settled for considerable savings over the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented New York intellectual property law firm in a Business Software Alliance Audit. Royer, Cooper, Cohen, Braunfeld, LLC represented the BSA. The case settled out-of-court after four months of negotiations which centered on the number of alleged unlicensed installations of software by publisher’s such as Adobe, Microsoft and Symantec. The final settlement amount was considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Midwestern call evaluation services firm in a Business Software Alliance audit. FDK Law represented the BSA. After just two months of negotiations the case settled at a significant reduction of the software organization’s opening settlement demand. Adobe and Microsoft products made up the majority of the software installations called into question.

Defended audio and visual staging company against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA, represented by Higer, Lichter & Givner, alleged there were numerous copies of unlicensed Adobe, Microsoft, and Symantec software products.  After almost two years the case settled for far less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented turboexpander design and manufacturing company against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  FDK Law represented the BSA.  Within a year the case settled for a considerable savings over the BSA’s original settlement demand which had been based on the alleged number of unlicensed software products by publishers such as Adobe, Microsoft and Symantec.

Defended electric power equipment provider against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA, represented by FDK Law, alleged there were numerous unlicensed copies of various Adobe and Microsoft Office products.  The case settled for considerable savings over the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended media and broadcast software company against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance who alleged there were numerous unlicensed copies of various Adobe and Microsoft products.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA.  The case was settled for a great deal less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented a Florida physician’s office in an software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance.  Higer, Lichter & Givner represented the BSA.  After three months of negotiations centered on the alleged number of unlicensed Microsoft Office products, the case settled for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented anodic coding business in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA who alleged that unlicensed copies of Adobe and Microsoft products were in use.  After three months of negotiations, the case closed for significantly less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Oklahoma based GPS tracking company against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA who alleged there were unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office products in use.  In four months the case settled for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented Illinois software development company in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA was represented by Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld.  After two months of negotiations centered on the alleged number of unlicensed Microsoft Office products, the case was settled for far less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Ohio based photo booth rental company against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged there were unlicensed copies of various Microsoft products in use.  The case was closed within 6 months with zero settlement payment.

Represented Florida based yacht equipment retailer in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA who alleged there were unlicensed copies of numerous Microsoft products in use.  After six months of negotiations, the case settled for a fraction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Texas medical services company against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA was represented by Bailey & Glasser.  After two months of negotiations centered on the alleged number of unlicensed Microsoft products, the case settled for significantly less the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented Indiana performance consulting company in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance.  Bailey & Glasser represented the BSA. At issue were the number of alleged unlicensed Microsoft products. The case settled within four months for a great deal less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented Florida communication installation firm in a software audit instigated by the Business Software Alliance. Troutman Sanders represented the BSA who alleged unlicensed copies of Microsoft server products. In less than a year the case was settled for a great deal less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented MIssouri auto dealer in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance. Negotiations centered on the number of alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Microsoft products. The case was settled out-of-court for a considerable savings over the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented California medical home care company in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance. The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of various Microsoft products. Within a month of negotiations the case settled for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented mid-Western bank in a Business Software Alliance software audit.  Klemchuk Kubasta represented the BSA.  After two months of negotiations centered on the alleged number of unlicensed Microsoft products, the case settled for a fraction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended online trophy and awards retailer against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance who alleged unlicensed copies of various Adobe and Microsoft products.  In less than a year the matter was settled for a considerable savings relative to the BSA’s original settement demand.

Defended Texas based banner manufacturer against allegations of copyright infringement from the Business Software Alliance.  Higer, Lichter & Givner represented the BSA who alleged unlicensed copies of various Adobe and Microsoft products.  The case was settled within six months for less than half of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented Iowa based telemarketing firm in a Business Software Alliance software audit.  FDK Law represented the BSA.  The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Microsoft products.  The case was settled in less than a year for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented specialty LCD mounting hardware company in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of Adobe, Microsoft and Autodesk products.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA.  In less than six months the case was settled for a fraction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Texas oil rig manufacturer against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA who alleged unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office products.  The case settled for far less than the BSA’s original settlement demand in less than a year.

Represented Florida healthcare provider in a Business Software Alliance software audit.  The BSA was represented by Higer Lichter & Givener.  Negotiations centered on the number of alleged unlicensed Microsoft products.  The case was settled out-of-court for a significant reduction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented automotive services provider in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA.  After only two months of negotiations centered on the alleged number of unlicensed Microsoft products installed, the case settled for a considerable savings relative to the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented contract specialist for attachment and installation solutions in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance.  Donahue Gallagher Woods represented the BSA who alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Adobe and Microsoft Products.  After two and a half years the case was settled for a great deal less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended vacation rental & resort internet marketing and design expert against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of various Adobe and Microsoft products.  After two years the case was settled for less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented a digital engagement agency in a software audit instituted by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Microsoft products, including individual Office products, servers and operating systems.  Within a year the case settled for a fraction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended online panel and survey technology provider to the global market research industry against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  Negotiations centered on the number of licensed copies of individual Microsoft Office products and lasted less than three months.  The case settled for 48% of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented financial industry marketing firm in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance who alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Adobe products, Microsoft Office products, and Microsoft server products such as SQL Server and Windows Sever.  After less than 3 months of negotiations the case was settled for 26% of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended real estate marketing firm against allegations of copyright infringement by the Business Software Alliance.  Donahue Gallagher Woods represented the BSA who alleged unlicensed copies of various Microsoft and Adobe products.  After two years the case was settled out-of-court for a significant reduction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented sales, marketing and technology company in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA was represented by Higer Lichter & Givner.  Negotiations centered on the number of individual Microsoft Office product licenses.  The case was pending close to two years and settled for far less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended app marketing solutions firm against allegations by the BSA of copyright infringement with respect to the installed number of copies of numerous Microsoft products including Office, Visio, and server products such as Windows Server and SQL Server.  The case was settled within a year for a considerable savings relative to the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented promotional products marketing company in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of various Microsoft and Adobe products.  The case settled in just six months for a great deal less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended marketing firm offering all-in-one sales and marketing solutions against the Business Software Alliance’s allegations of alleged unlicensed copies of various Microsoft products including SQL and Windows server products.  The case settled after a year for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented nationwide insurance company in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA was represented by Donahue Gallagher Woods.  At issue  was the number of licenses for numerous Microsoft products.  The case was settlted after ten months of negotiations for almost half of the BSA’s original settlement demand with no admission of liability.

Defended DFW insurance company against allegations of alleged unlicensed copies of Adobe and Microsoft products by the Business Software Alliance.  Locke Lord represented the BSA.  After a year of negotiations the case was settled for 24% of the BSA’s original demand with no admission of liability.

Represented nationwide full-service title agency in a software audit instituted by the Business Software Alliance.  Pepper Hamilton represented the BSA who alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Microsoft products.  Negotiations lasted only three weeks and the case settled for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Midwestern insurance company against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged unlicensed copies of various Adobe, Microsoft and Symantec products.  The case was pending for a year and a half and settled for significantly less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented professional insurance licensing service company in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance.  Negotiations centered on the number of alleged unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office.  The case settled in less than a year for a considerable savings relative to the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended mortgage lending company against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA was represented by Faegre & Benson.   Negotiations centered on allegedly unlicensed copies of Microsoft products.  The case was pending for two years and settled for 46% of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended investment management firm against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  Locke Lord represented the BSA regarding alleged unlicensed copies of Microsoft, Symantec and Adobe products.  After two and half years the case settled for 40% of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented investment brokerage firm in a software audit instituted by the Business Software Alliance.  The dispute centered on alleged unlicensed copies of various Microsoft products, including servers and operating systems. The BSA was represented by Pepper Hamilton.  The case settled in a little over a year for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented DFW area KIA dealer in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance after they received a settlement demand.  The BSA was represented by Thompson & Knight who alleged licensing shortages of numerous Microsoft Office products.  The case was pending for two years and settled for significantly less than the BSA’s original demand.

Defended New England aftermarket auto parts distributor against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  The dispute centered on alleged unlicensed copies of Microsoft server products.  The BSA was represented by Pepper Hamilton.  The case settled for less than the BSA’s original settlement demand after six months of negotiations.

Represented western U.S. manufacturer of commercial trucks and vehicles in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance after they submitted audit materials and received a settlement demand.  After a year of negotiations focused on alleged unlicensed copies of numerous Microsoft products, the case settled for 11% of the BSA’s original settlement demand with no admission of liability.

Defended Texas Ford dealer against allegations of unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office products by the Business Software Alliance.  After just over one year, the case settled for 35% of the BSA’s original settlement demand with no admission of liability.

Hired by California Daimler Chrysler dealer to represent them in a software audit requested by the Business Software Alliance after they received a settlement demand.  The BSA alleged shortages in various Microsoft product licenses.  The case was settled within a year for a fraction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Texas based public utility technical services firm against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA was represented by Darin Klemchuk.  The dispute centered around alleged unlicensed copies of Microsoft Office.  The case was pending for fifteen months and settled for considerably less than the Business Software Alliance’s original settlement demand.

Defended legal technology services firm against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  Troutman Sanders represented the BSA.  The negotiations centered around Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows Server licenses.  The case was resolved in eight months with a settlement that was significantly lower than the BSA’s original demand.

Represented Southwestern mortgage company in a software audit initiated by the Business Software Alliance.  The major issue in the audit was the number of Microsoft Office licenses.  The BSA was represented by Locke Lord.  The case was settled in less than a year for considerably less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented online award and plaque retailer in a software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance that focused on Adobe and Microsoft products.  The BSA was represented by Troutman Sanders.  The case settled within a year for a considerable savings relative to the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Represented Dallas, Texas based staffing software maker in Business Software Alliance audit initiated by Stephen Gustavson of Donahue Gallaghere Woods.  The BSA alleged licensing shortages for numerous Adobe and Microsoft products, including Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, 2008; Microsoft SQL Server 2005; and Microsoft Windows Server 2000 and 2003.  The matter was pending for eighteen months and resulted in a confidential out-of-court settlement.

Represented DFW based leader in property management for the multifamily industry.  The BSA was represented by Donahue Gallagher Woods.  The Business Software Alliance alleged licensing shortages for Microsoft Office, Microsoft Server products, and client access licenses.  After almost three years, the case was settled for far less than the Business Software Alliance’s original settlement demand.

Represented North Carolina based parachute equipment manufacturer against allegations of software piracy by the BSA.  The Business Software Alliance alleged licensing shortages for numerous Microsoft products.  The case was settled in just under two years at a great reduction off the Business Software Alliance’s original settlement demand.

Represented Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based real estate agency in software audit requested by the BSA.  The primary products involved were Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Windows Server client access licenses.  After approximately eighteen months, the case was settled out-of-court for a considerable savings relative to the Business Software Alliance’s original settlement demand.

Defended San Ramon, California based veterinary clinic in a Business Software Alliance audit.  The BSA alleged licensing shortages for numerous Microsoft products.  The matter was pending almost two years and resulted in a settlement that was a fraction of the BSA’s original settlement demand.

Defended Salt Lake City, Utah based mechanical and electrical engineering firm against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance that focused heavily on AutoCAD and Microsoft Office product licenses.  The BSA was represented by Donahue Gallagher Woods.  The matter was pending for fifteen months and settled for 45% of the BSA’s original settlement demand with no admission of liability and no future audit inspections.

Represented Beverly Hills, California based internet technology services company in software audit conducted by the Business Software Alliance that focused on Microsoft Office and Adobe products.  In just over seven months, the case was settled out-of-court after the BSA agreed to greatly reduce its original settlement demand.

Defended Indiana based hardware store chain against allegations of software piracy by the Business Software Alliance.  The BSA alleged shortages in various Microsoft product licenses.  The BSA considered extenuating circumstances in the case and after ten months of negotiations, the case was settled out-of-court.

Represented real estate marketing company in a BSA audit primarily involving Microsoft server licensing.  The BSA was represesnted by Donahue Gallagher Woods.  The case settled for substantially less than the BSA’s original settlement demand.