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By Polly Raymond, 8 June 1999 00:30

NEWS UK corporates are still failing to ensure their software is properly licensed, according to a report from consultancy, KPMG and the Federation Against Software Theft (Fast). The survey polled 300 organisations, 65 per cent of which agreed that most UK companies are using unlicensed software. Paul Diamond, senior partner at KPMG, said: "Senior managers just don't take ownership of licensing issues. I think there are a number of reasons for this, but one is that they are simply not aware of the benefits and costs of licensing." Diamond's claim is backed up by the findings, which reveal that only 30 per cent of organisations have board level responsibility for unlicensed software. But the report claims part of the blame for the low level of licensing could lie with vendors. Geoff Webster, CEO of Fast - which largely represents the vendor community - said: "Vendors could do more to make licence agreements easier." When asked if KPMG practises what it preaches, Diamond was reasonably confident. "As far as I'm aware, we have good policies and procedures in place at KPMG that look after licensing issues," he said.