There was a funny post on slashdot to the tone of:

So if you are going to pirate software make sure you pirate ALL your
software so you wont have regestered proof that you use software of
any kind and can't be held to an audit.

I laughed anyway

Bill Warner

> I will bring to the PLUG meeting a couple BSA flyers from ITEC... a large 
> thick yellow card I received in the mail, and also the below letter. 
>  Somehow I just don't ever see myself buying anything else from the 
> mentioned firms.  If they are trying for congeniality points, they have 
> another think coming.
> 
> Nice how you are presumed guilty until you prove your innocence, huh? 
>  Does this letter make your blood boil or what...
> 
> \\/
> 
> ===
> 
> Business Software Alliance
> www.bsa.org
> Washington, DC
> 
> October 30, 2000
> 
> Your BSA Truce Participation #: xxxxxxx
> 
> Bill Lindley
> Owner
> LS Software
> [address]
> 
> Dear Bill Lindley:
> 
> You may have heard that the Business Software Alliance is cracking down on 
> organizations in the Mesa area that use unlicensed software. If your 
> software is not licensed, you could be the target of a BSA investigation.
> 
> The BSA -- an association comprised of Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Bentley 
> Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Corel, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network 
> Associations and Symantec -- works to educate [pester, harrass, 
> intimidate?] the public, and enforce intellectual property rights.
> 
> [in bold]
>    The BSA is calling a Truce.
>    You have one month to get legal.
> 
> The BSA is offering a Software Truce 'in Mesa between November I and 
> December 1.
> 
> Take this time to review your software installations and usage and, if 
> necessary, acquire the licenses you need. If your organization becomes Uly 
> licensed during the Truce, BSA Will not seek to impose penalties for any 
> unauthorized copying that occurred before December I (unless your 
> organization has been informed it is already under investigation). If you 
> are contacted by the BSA, just show your Truce Participation Number and 
> software purchase receipts to the BSA, to take advantage of the Truce. 
> (Please see the reverse for terms.)
> 
> Unauthorized copying is the same as stealing. If you're caught, your 
> organization could face penalties totaling hundreds of thousands of 
> dollars. The enclosed document contains news clips from organizations that 
> learned their lesson the hard way.
> 
> [in bold]
>    Not sure if you're fully licensed?
>    We can help you find out.
> 
> Trying to determine whether your organization is using illegal software? 
> Visit our website at www.bsatruce.com for more information and to download 
> our free Software Audit tool, or call our special Truce hotline at 
> 1-877-536-4BSA (1-877-536-4272). If you find that you aren't 100% 
> licensed, contact your software vendor immediately and buy the software 
> licenses you need before the Truce ends on December 1, 2000.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Bob Kruger
> 
> Vice President
> 
> Business Software Alliance
> 
> ________________________________________________
> See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
> 
> Plug-discuss mailing list  -  Plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
> 



-- 
--
Bill Warner, aka Geekus Nosleepus No. 355122
Direct Alliance Corp.
Unix/Linux Admin.