WASHINGTON--Jan. 27, 2003--The Business Software Alliance (BSA) will launch its Software Grace Period in Louisville, KY, on February 1. During the Grace Period, BSA is giving area businesses a one-month opportunity to review their software programs and acquire the licenses they need to get legal without facing penalties for past infringement imposed by BSA. Between February 1-28, BSA will reach out to more than 540,000 business contacts simultaneously in Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Albuquerque, NM; Dallas, TX; Louisville, KY; Harrisburg, PA and Seattle, WA. "The Business Software Alliance recognizes that, for whatever reason, some businesses may not have managed their software assets properly, but ignoring the problem can lead to substantial financial exposure," said Bob Kruger, vice president of enforcement for BSA. "The Grace Period offers businesses a chance to catch up, conduct a software audit and acquire the necessary licenses they need to get legal - penalty-free. This is a great opportunity for businesses to resolve any compliance issues before they become subjects of a BSA investigation." Businesses in these cities will receive information from BSA on the Grace Period and how to participate. Companies that take part in the Grace Period and take the necessary steps to become fully licensed will be excused from penalties for software violations occurring prior to February 28, 2003(1). These penalties include fines up to $150,000 per copyright work infringed. Over the past 12 years, BSA has collected more than $83 million in penalties from companies using unlicensed software. This is the eleventh BSA legalization program since August 2000. Since that time, BSA has offered its program in more than 45 cities to more than five million businesses. Prior cities include: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Greenville, Huntsville, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Rochester, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, Tulsa and Tucson. According to a recent state software study, in 2001, software piracy cost Kentucky more than $47 million in lost wages and resulted in a tax loss of more than $17 million.(2) Businesses trying to determine whether their organization is using unlicensed software can download the free BSA Software Audit tool at www.bsagrace.com or call the special Grace Period hotline at 1-877-536-4BSA for additional information. The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal online world. The BSA is the voice of the world's software and Internet industry before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights and cyber security; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Internet Security Systems, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network Associates and Symantec. * (1) This excludes any organizations already informed of a BSA investigation. See www.bsagrace.com for full rules. * (2) Conducted for BSA by International Planning and Research Corporation (IPR).