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Who watches the watchers? Support software licensing dispute grows in Australia
November 18, 2011The New South Wales Police and support software maker Micro Focus have continued to butt heads over a licensing issue, a recent report from IT News said.
The company's NS mainframe terminal software was the subject of an initial agreement between the sides, reached in 1998. However, revisions in 1999 and 2000 gave the NSW Police the right to install 6,500 copies of NS and its newer versions, called ViewNow and Rumba, according to the news source.
Micro Focus alleges that the police force has installed more copies of the support software than its license allows for, IT News reported, noting that the company recently added all versions of the application in question to the complaint. NSW Police insist that Micro Focus is simply on a "fishing expedition," according to the publication.
While most licensing disputes never reach this point, it's better to be safe than sorry, according to authorities on the subject. A dedicated management system could help provide a clear picture of precise licensing terms and leave few grounds for conflict.