Software Licence Enforcement & Compliance

Using unlicensed software is a violation of the Copyright Act and can expose your company to civil liability (injunction, damages, accounts of profit) and criminal prosecution. Software publishers actively audit and enforce their rights in India, and settlements can run into significant amounts. We advise companies on compliance audits to identify and address licensing gaps before they become enforcement actions.

Start with an internal audit of all software installed across your systems, compare it against your licence entitlements, identify any gaps, and either procure additional licences or remove unlicensed software. Going forward, implement a software procurement policy, centralise licence management, and conduct periodic audits. We assist businesses in setting up compliant software management practices.

Take it seriously. Do not ignore it. Conduct an immediate internal assessment of your licence position for the software in question. Engage legal counsel before responding. Most enforcement matters can be resolved through negotiation and licence regularisation if handled promptly and professionally. Delay or non-response typically escalates the matter to litigation.