Does Microsoft audit in Thailand?

[Yaochi]

Small business (<50 computers / users) with a non tech savvy owner but the old sysadmin died and CALs are missing (if they existed). How big of a problem is it? Like should I suggest replacing them quickly or waiting until the next server edition upgrade or does it not even matter in Thailand so I shouldn't waste time bringing it up?

[warrima]

Economic crime suppression division of the police are the guys that would turn up. Usually they act on tip offs - but occasionally they have targeted programs like they had a few years ago - where they visit companies unannounced and audit your computers and software. 

 

They came to our place and found some ACAD and photoshop copies that guys had installed themselves. Quite hefty fines and very detailed. They even pulled us on having some licenses purchased online from the USA - saying that if Thailand has a distributor - the licenses must be purchased from them. Came back a few months later and followed up.

 

Not saying its likely - but it does happen. 

[Yaochi]

7 minutes ago, warrima said:

They even pulled us on having some licenses purchased online from the USA - saying that if Thailand has a distributor - the licenses must be purchased from them. Came back a few months later and followed up.

Didn't even think of that as a possibility. That's crazy. I can't imagine there's any civil liability there because the copyright owner is getting paid, do you know roundabout what the fine was? So if I want to be completely above board I'd have to contact Thai Microsoft authorized resellers and check if they sell CALs before going to the website...

[warrima]

Violating Section 69(1) of the Copyright Act and fined between 20,000 and 200,000 baht.

From memory we got hit with the full 200k. Then on the licenses we purchased from Amazon i think we had to pay a customs related penalty plus the Thai VAT. Around 250k all in sounds familiar. That was about 4 years ago.