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Software Compliance
Policies and law that apply:
Federal Copyright Law
Title 17
Title 17 - Section 117
Indiana University:
Computer Users' Privileges and
Responsibilities
IT-01 - Use of University IT Resources
IT-02 - Sanctions for Misuse or Abuse of
University Owned IT Resources
Rationale:
The Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, its faculty, its staff, and
its students are required to follow the laws and the license agreements
governing software they use. Any software use inconsistent with the law or the
license agreement may be a violation of applicable law. This includes acquiring
software outside of Indiana University and distribution of this software to
other members of the Indiana University community.
The position of the University Counsel is the following:
- Unauthorized reproduction of software constitutes copyright infringement;
- Willful copyright infringement carries potentially huge "statutory" damages --
potentially up to 150,000 dollars for each work infringed by an individual;
- the copyright owner could obtain such damages without proving that it had
sustained a single penny of actual damages; and
-
the faculty or staff member sued for such infringement would, almost certainly,
have to defend the suit and pay the judgment without any help from the
university.
In addition, illegal use of software or distribution of software violates
Indiana University policy, and disciplinary action will be taken. Indiana
University may refer the infraction to the appropriate law enforcement agency
for investigation and possible prosecution. [IT-02]
The following are some examples of DOs and DON'Ts.
Do:
-
Do use the software provided under the various software agreements as they are
intended to be used.
-
Do keep a record of what software was installed, its version, which computer,
and when.
-
Do make backup copies as indicated by the software's licensing agreement.
-
Do provide a record of all software acquired to CNC for record keeping only.
This record is to indicated if the software was purchased, leased, or a gift
and from whom. This record should also list the version and number of licenses
for each piece of software.
-
Do ask for clarification from CNC or ITPO if you have any questions about a
license.
Do Not:
-
Do not violate software licensing agreements.
-
Do not distribute or copy software unless the license agreement allows you to
do this.
-
Do not add capabilities that you are not allowed to use or did not purchase.
For More Information:
Indiana University Copyright Management
Center
Indiana University Information Technology Policy
Office