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Software Piracy Policy
Software: Any electronic copyrighted material. This includes software applications, video, audio or other data files.
- Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
- Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations constitute grounds for sanctions against members of the college community.
- Unauthorized copying of software is illegal--copyright law protects authors and publishers of software.
- Unauthorized copying of software by individuals can harm the entire college community. The institution may incur a legal liability for condoning such activity, and it could become more difficult to negotiate agreements that make software more widely and inexpensively available.
- Unauthorized copying of software deprives developers of a fair return for their work. Prices become inflated, levels of support and enhancement decrease, and development of new products is inhibited.
- The unauthorized copying of any software owned by the college will be viewed as an act of theft and a violation of the appropriate copyright protection provided for under the law.
- The installation of any unauthorized software on any storage medium owned by the college, or the running of unauthorized software on computing equipment owned by the college will be viewed as a violation of the appropriate copyright protection provided for under the law.
- Infractions related to the unauthorized use of software will result in one or both of the following actions: (1) referral to the appropriate offices, committees, boards or individuals for determination of guilt, level of culpability and appropriate disciplinary action as provided for in the ethos statement of the college and in the personnel and student handbooks; (2) referral to the civil authorities or the software vendor for possible legal action.
Author: Information Technology Services
Approval: Information Technology Services
Created: 1/1/1996
Revised: 6/20/06
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Messiah College |
One College Avenue | Grantham, PA 17027 | 717-766-2511
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