Fast proposes software 'kitemark' scheme

The Federation Against Software Theft (Fast) has unveiled proposals to introduce a standardised system for software licensing.

The so-called 'kitemark' scheme is intended to provide purchasers with a consistent and transparent agreement to "reduce potential licence compliance confusion".

Fast's Software Publishers Group (SPG), which includes McAfee and Oracle, has been working on drafting the standardised 'Fast-compliant' licence.

The SPG said it will seek the support of Fast's Certified Reseller Group to ensure that it understands end-user requirements. When finalised, documentation will be issued with SPG members' software, showing that it meets the 'kitemark' licence standard.

John Lovelock, director general of Fast, said: "We recognise that the industry must be proactive in helping end users to comply with copyright laws.

"By combining the strengths of our software publishers and certified resellers we will be able to tackle the issue head on and ensure that the core criteria are established for any software licence.

"Software users will then have a simple and straightforward set of guidelines setting out exactly what their rights are."