(Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar)

Sony BMG has been accused by PointDev company of having used Ideal Migration, the administration software for Windows servers and client accounts, without having a licence.

On 22 January 2008, a bailiff mandated by PointDev found an illegal installation of the software on four computers belonging to Sony BMG. Paul-Henry Agustoni, owner and administrator of the editor claims 300 000 euro damages from Sony BMG.

The case started in November 2007 when a Sony employee requested online technical support from PointDev. Ideal Migration, like all the other products of the company is proposed on the Internet in a trial version. Following the purchase of the product, the client is provided with a key allowing the use of additional services including online technical support. The account of the Sony employee was not registered and after some researches, PointDev found that the key used to activate the software was pirated and dated since the end of 2004, the moment BMG was absorbed by Sony. Ideal Migration is particularly used by companies for IT consolidation to allow a centralised administration of servers and client accounts.

Paul- Henry Agustoni believed this was not an isolated situation. "I believe the pirating is related to the company policy. If the employee has the necessary budget to buy the software he (she) needs, he (she) will do it. If that's not the case, he (she) will find alternative means, because work has to be done one way or another" he stated.

Sony BMG has not yet made any comments on the matter.

Sony BMG searched for software counterfeit (only in French, 21.03.2008)
http://www.01net.com/editorial/374727/la-major-sony-bmg-poursuivie-pou...

A company from Vaucluse attacks the giant Sony (only in French, 19.03.2008)
http://www.laprovence.com/articles/2008/03/19/347901-UNKNOWN-Une-socie...