Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software Join Forces

2 months ago 03rd Sep 09:37

Single entity created with joint focus

The Federation Against Software Theft (Federation or FAST) and Investors in Software (IiS), two of the most respected, independent names in the UK software industry, have joined forces to strengthen and clarify the advice given to the end user community relating to best practice for Software Asset Management (SAM) and achieving cost efficient licence compliance.

In bringing the two organisations together the market will benefit from a single organisation able to balance the often-polar positions of reducing licensing costs and mitigating compliance risks within the context of Software License Management (SLM).

The entity, under the auspices of the Federation, will keep both the well-known brands of FAST and IiS to respectively focus on their core propositions. The FAST brand will continue to focus on its leading role as a lobbying and software IP protection body, whilst IiS will continue to promote best practice and consistent standards to advance the professionalism in software asset management (SAM).

John Lovelock, Chief Executive of The Federation commented: “This is the culmination of the work we have been doing in recent months to position ourselves not only as a lobbyist and protector of software IP rights, but as an organisation determined to help end users through education and best practice.”

Shaun Frohlich, Chairman of IiS added: “This brings together two organisations that will deliver a holistic view of SAM and SLM here in the UK and evangelise consistency internationally. There is no doubt in our minds that this is a natural, next evolutionary step creating an organisation that spans the continuum from SLM to SAM.”

“The logic of this operational merger becomes clear when you consider the fact that organisations increasingly have to demonstrate good corporate governance through compliance audits, but equally they wish to reduce software procurement and support costs and ensure that all licenses owned are fit for purpose. Educating legitimate organisational end users from this perspective, whilst ensuring that we continue to protect the IP rights of our members against deliberate acts of piracy is a more appropriate and focused response to the needs we see in the market today,” added John Lovelock.

The Federation will continue to strenuously lobby government for a secure, effective and efficient IP regime in the UK and protect the IP rights of its members as appropriate. The recently launched Software Industry Research Board (SIRB), which aims to address and simplify the often diverse and confusing issues in the field of SAM and SLM, will now sit within the broadened remit of the IiS brand.

More about Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software Join Forces on page 2