Delta Force Developer NovaLogic Fined for Software Violation

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) on Wednesday issued a fine of $153,500 to California-based game developer NovaLogic, creator of the Delta Force franchise and Comanche 4, for using unlicensed software in the construction of its video games, according to a report in the local Ventura County Star newspaper. An audit issued by the BSA found unlicensed copies of software from Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, FileMaker, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec on NovaLogic employee computers, according to the news outlet. "NovaLogic Inc. is committed to full compliance with software licensing requirements," said NovaLogic President Lee Milligan in a statement. "As a software developer, our organization depends on respect for our intellectual property rights. NovaLogic regrets the inadvertent violation of license agreements and is committed to rigorous respect for the intellectual property rights of others." BSA Director of Enforcement Jenny Blank states that the company offers several resources on the official BSA web site for companies wanting to ensure that they're in the legal clear. "The point is not to catch people," she said, "but to get them to get legal first." [UPDATE - 12/10/05 4.05pm PST - Representatives for Novalogic have asked us to clarify: "The violations reported in the article took place more than three years ago. When the issue was first brought to NovaLogic’s attention, immediate action was taken by NovaLogic. While the BSA’s reporting of the issue to the press has just occurred, NovaLogic has been in full compliance with all software licenses since becoming aware of the problem."]