The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has announced a six-week campaign aimed at stamping out software piracy in Manchester.

The local initiative will raise awareness of software piracy and educate companies about its risk to their business, customers and the local economy.

Firms that sign up to the software audit programme, and ensure that they are fully licensed by 30 June, will avoid legal action by the BSA.

At the end of June investigations may be opened into Manchester-based companies that fail to deal with their licensing requirements.

Najeeb Khan, vice-chair of the BSA UK Member Committee, said: “Each time software is acquired from an unauthorised source it has a negative impact on the local economy and opens the customer up to serious risks.

“The BSA wants to promote the value of software and educate Manchester businesses on how it should be better managed. Software and the information it contains is one of the most valuable assets for any organisation, so it’s vital that businesses realise the seriousness of the issue.”

Khan continued: “We urge Manchester businesses to come forward and ensure that their software licensing is up to scratch, checking all software - from office productivity suites to design packages including fonts, which have intellectual property content. Come the beginning of July, it could be too late.”

According to the BSA, Manchester receives more reports of software piracy than any other UK city outside of London.

Eleven Manchester companies are already under investigation by the BSA for software licensing violations.

Arlene McCarthy, chair of the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, said: “Piracy robs the creative sector of millions of pounds of investment. Campaigns like this which target and fight rampant piracy can help protect jobs in the local economy and support our thriving software industry.”

Paul Bolt, UK marketing director of reseller Insight, which has offices in Manchester, added: “Software has been a key driving force for changing the way in which we work and is integral to the success of both private and public sector organisations. It is therefore vital that these organisations recognise the value of software, manage it like any other asset and ensure every piece is legal and properly licensed.”