WASHINGTON — To help protect small businesses from the dangers of software piracy, the Small Business Administration and the Business Software Alliance have teamed up to help with the effort.

The partnership will help small businesses protect themselves from legal liability, costly fines, security vulnerabilities and technical problems associated with software piracy, as well as guide businesses through the software asset management process, which may be overlooked by small businesses due to lack of resources and manpower, according to SBA.

In the United States, small businesses face the greatest risk for software piracy due to limited manpower and resources and are less likely to recognize the benefits a software policy affords, SBA said. A BSA study found that 21% of software in the United States is unlicensed.