Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI
     

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:
"(1) Unauthorized reproduction of software constitutes
      copyright infringement;
(2) Willful copyright infringement carries potentially huge
      "statutory" damages -- potentially up to 150,000
      dollars for each work infringed by an individual;
(3) the copyright owner could obtain such damages
      without proving that it had sustained a single penny
      of actual damages; and
(4) 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:

(1) Do use the software provided under the various software agreements as they are intended to
be used.
(2) Do keep a record of what software was installed, its version, which computer, and when.
(3) Do make backup copies as indicated by the software's licensing agreement.
(4) 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.
(5) Do ask for clarification from CNC or ITPO if you have any questions about a license.

Do Not:

(1) Do not violate software licensing agreements.
(2) Do not distribute or copy software unless the license agreement allows you to do this.
(3) 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