SMALLER firms can check up on the licences of their software after the Institute of Directors (IoD) launched a site offering advice.

The Licence Compliance microsite (www.iod.com/licencecompliance/) produced in association with Microsoft, offers advice on effective software management and also provides guidance on avoiding the pitfalls of software piracy.

Software is a key component in any business, but many firms still don't have effective ways to track their software.

Currently, one in four software packages used by British businesses are unlicensed, leaving many companies and directors in breach of copyright law, so it is well worth checking-up.