Software Ethics
1. Belmont University prohibits
the illegal use of software on campus. If software has been
copyrighted and/or received under license, the following will be
considered lawful use of that
software:• Use only by
those persons authorized under the software license
agreement.• Making backup
copies for one’s personal
use.• Configuring the
software and making other reasonable modifications specifically
designed to fit the software to the user’s
needs.• Selling or giving
the original copy and documentation to another, provided that the
transferor keeps no copies whatsoever of either the software or
documentation and provides the transferee only with original
copies. (This assumes that the copy of the software is owned rather
than borrowed or issued.)
2. The following are actions that
are considered illegal. Belmont may apply sanctions to those who
engage in these actions.
• Providing copies of
copyrighted or licensed software to others while maintaining copies
for one’s own use, unless there is a specific provision
in the license allowing such activity. The activity is forbidden
even if the software is provided without cost for an educational
purpose.
• Using software or
documentation knowingly obtained in violation of the copyright law
or a valid license provision. Use of a copy of a copyrighted
program obtained from another party where no license permits such
reproduction or transfer will be presumed to be a knowing violation
of copyright or license provisions. The burden of demonstrating
that the use was innocent will rest with the user.
• Using a copyrighted
program on more than one machine at the same time unless a specific
license provision permits such activity.
