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The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Audit Defense, The Legal Perspective
Robert J. Scott, Managing Partner Scott & Scott, LLP
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Publisher Enforcement on the Rise
• BSA Audits • SIIA Audits • SAM Engagements • Big Four Audits • Publisher Enforcement Programs
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Inves5ga5on & Evalua5on
• Inventory of So=ware Installed • Review and Analysis of Purchase DocumentaAon
• Analysis of License Agreements • Understanding Use Cases
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Determining the Amount in Controversy
• May be difficult to determine because contractual audit provisions o=en do not specify a formula for resolving licensing gaps.
• Two to three Ames MSRP is usually a good target.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Calcula5on of Damages
• The copyright plainAff can elect either statutory damages or lost profit.
• So=ware compilaAons should be treated as one work for purposes of calculaAng damages.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Assessing the Publisher’s Case
Probability of success on the merits of ambiguous contractual provisions may be the most likely scenario for liAgaAon.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
When to File a Declaratory Judgment Ac5on
• A declaratory judgment acAon can be an excellent forum shopping strategy.
• O=en changes the dynamics and stakeholder with the publisher organizaAon.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
How to Avoid Escala5on
• So=ware audit disputes usually evolve over a period of months or years.
• Many disputes can be resolved through improved communicaAon.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Nego5a5ng when Li5ga5on is Probable
• Clients should cooperate without jeopardizing their legal rights.
• There is a “right” resoluAon framework for each situaAon.
• LiAgaAon is necessary in rare cases.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
DraFing SeHlement Agreements
• Update license terms including grant, 3rd party access, and geographic rights.
• Secure a broad release of all claims. • Secure audit forbearance for 1 to 3 years.
The ITAM Review US Conference 2016
Recent Cases
• ACS v Cincom • Xerox v Aptean • Mars v Oracle • Adobe v Levy Group
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