MILWAUKEE – When it comes to tracking down unlicensed copies of the company's eFilm Workstation software, Merge Healthcare is choosing compassion over court action.

Officials of the Milwaukee-based developer of medical imaging software and services announced Tuesday that they will be launching a Web site and amnesty program to help healthcare providers comply with license agreements of the DICOM-based diagnostic imaging desktop system. The goal is to round up the estimated tens of thousands of illegal or unlicensed copies of eFilm Workstation and provide those working with such software with a licensed copy.

Since 2003, company officials say more than 100,000 copies of eFilm Workstation have been downloaded off the company's Web site.

"We want to be sure that we're protecting our clients and the patients they treat," said Nancy Koenig, president of Merge's Fusion division.

Merge's eFim Workstation allows clinicians to view digital MRI, CT, X-ray and other images to diagnose and recommend patient treatment. The company modifies and enhances the software as needed, and those updates are provided to licensed customers.