licensing agreement with a software company, Accounting homework

Proficient-level:
- Consider this scenario. James Stevens was taking an accounting course at State University. Also, he was helping companies find accounting systems that would fit their information needs. He advised one of his clients to acquire a software computer package that could record business transactions and prepare financial statements. The licensing agreement with the software company specified that the basic charge for one site was USD 4,000 and that USD 1,000 must be paid for each additional site where the software was used. James was pleased that his recommendation to acquire the software was followed. However, he was upset that management wanted him to install the software at eight other sites in the company and did not intend to pay the extra USD 8,000 due the software company. A member of management stated, “The software company will never know the difference and, besides, everyone else seems to be pirating software. If they do find out, we will pay the extra fee at that time. Our expenses are high enough without paying these unnecessary costs.” James believed he might lose this client if he did not do as management instructed. Discuss whether you believe this is an ethical violation.
Distinguished-level:
- Identify any laws that may have been broken as a result of this issue.