Thirty Ghanaian banks face legal action for using pirated banking software for their operations.

The commercial high court in that country has ruled that software company BSL Systems Enterprise pirated Olson Systems banking software, and then sold it to rural banks and financial institutions in the West African nation.

According to reports about 85% of these rural banks and financial institutions are in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, while the rest are scattered in Accra and other parts of the country.

These institutions have until the end of June 2012 to either stop using the software or face the full wrath of the law.

“After the 30th of June, if these institutions do not revert to my clients to regularise the use of these software, legal actions would be initiated against them,” said Emmanuel Amofa, counsel for Olson Systems.

“Any such rural bank or financial institution using my client’s software would be in contempt of court and would be infringing on the copyrights of my clients,” he added.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered that BSL Systems Enterprise pay about $315 789 to Olson Systems as damages.

Below is the list of financial institutions that could be dragged to court:

1. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB)
2. Adansi Rural Bank
3. Ahafo Community Bank
4. Akatakyiman Rural Bank Ltd.
5. Akyempim Rural Bank Ltd.
6. Atwima Mponua Rural Bank
7. Ahantaman Rural Bank Ltd.
8. Asokore Rural Bank Ltd
9. Ahehyeman Savings &Loans Co.
10. Atiwa Rural Bank Ltd
11. Bawjiase Area Rural Bank Ltd.
12. Bosomtwe Rural Bank Ltd.
13. Capital Rural Bank Ltd.
14. Ejuraman Rural Bank Ltd
15. Juaben Rural Bank
16. Kintampo Rural Bank Ltd.
17. UniCredit Ghana Ltd
18. Kwaebibirem Rural Bank Ltd
19. Lower Pra Rural Bank Ltd.
20. Mepe Rural Bank Ltd
21. Mumuadu Rural Bank Ltd
22. Nsoatreman Rural Bank
23. Nyakrom Rural Bank Ltd
24. Offinso Rural Bank
25. Otuasekan Rural Bank Ltd
26. Sekyedomase Rural Bank Ltd
27. Sterling Financial Services Ghana Ltd
28. Sekyere Rural Bank Ltd
29. Unity Rural Bank Ltd
30. Wenchi Rural Bank.