News : Hitachi Joins FAST

Hitachi Joins FAST

- Latest vendor joins a growing list of software publishers with the Federation Against Software Theft -

Hitachi Information Systems Group (IFG), part of Hitachi Europe Ltd, has become an industry member of the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST).

Hitachi IFG provides IT solutions involving smart cards, Internet and back office systems. In addition, it develops service offerings based on leading edge technologies from the Research and Development group of Hitachi Europe.

Joining FAST in its campaign against the illegal use of software in UK-based companies and organisations is the latest example of Hitachi's long-held commitment to help companies to tackle the problem of software piracy. Hitachi's JP1 system management offering includes high quality anti-piracy applications and is already helping companies across the globe to track down problems with software licensing - even down to detecting individual downloaded MP3 files.

Nicola Friend, European Head of JP1, Hitachi Information Systems Group, said: "Every year the software industry suffers multi-million pound losses through software under-licensing and misuse. Prevention is better than cure and we are committed to helping companies identify and solve problems quickly and effectively. That's one reason why JP1 is such a core offering for us. For Hitachi, becoming a FAST member is the next logical step for us to help the UK business community in the battle with licence control."

Paul Brennan, general counsel, Federation Against Software Theft, said: "Hitachi Information Systems Group has joined a prestigious list of FAST members, all of whom recognise that FAST is an organisation with teeth when it comes to software piracy. Our growing membership is further endorsement that FAST's experience and knowledge in all matters pertaining to the legal use of software and copyright infringements is increasingly valuable to the industry as a whole." ends.. can manage all of your systems, and with minimum effort and time integrate new services.

Kate Alexander/Richard Merrin Spreckley Partners Ltd Tel: 020 7388 9988 Fax: 020 7388 8588 alexander@spreckley.co.uk www.fast.org.uk

Paul Brennan FAST Tel: 01628 622 121 Fax: 01628 760 353 marketing@fast.org

Nicola Friend Hitachi Informations Systems Group [01628 585956] [01628 585656] nicola.friend@hitachi-eu.com

About FAST

The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) became the world’s first software anti-piracy organisation when it was set up in 1984 to lobby Parliament for changes to the copyright law.

Today FAST's key remit is enforcement. In particular, it tackles under-licensing (buying one license, but then copying the software many times), together with the increasing problem of misuse of the internet. It represents any software publisher whose intellectual property is being abused, regardless of their size or the value of the potential settlement. Although FAST will always initially attempt to resolve these issues without litigation, it does not hesitate to prosecute should this route be required to make the necessary recovery.

FAST's own legal expertise is reinforced by its Legal Advisory Group (FLAG), which consists of over 30 law firms engaged in IT/IP and operating in the UK and overseas.

FAST has 170 members from the software publishing industry (including resellers, distributors, audit software providers and consultants) and 2,600 corporate end users.

Queries to FAST can be made by telephone (01628 622121) or email (fast@fast.org)

About Hitachi Europe Ltd.

Hitachi Europe Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan. Headquartered in Maidenhead, UK, it has operations in 16 countries and employs over 500 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a 'Best Solutions Partner' Hitachi Europe tailors its services and solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers. Hitachi Europe comprises ten key business areas: power and industrial systems; information systems; high performance computing; digital media, consumer products, automotive; air-conditioning and refrigeration systems; procurement and sourcing; and corporate technology group (research & development) and the Hitachi Design Centre.