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Governing Board Policies

Section E: Support Services

Policy Title: Electronic Copyright Compliance
Policy Code: EGADA

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Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors 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. Plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations may be grounds for sanctions against employees and students of the district.

District employees and students are required to adhere to any specific conditions or restrictions required by the licensing agreements for software programs purchased with district funds. For commonly used licensing agreements, the following conditions apply:

  1. It is illegal to copy a software program when not expressly provided for in the licensing agreement. It is illegal to install a software program, which is licensed for single computer use, for multiple computer use.
  2. Unauthorized copies of software programs may not be used on district equipment notwithstanding the source of the unauthorized copy.
  3. Purchase of the appropriate number of copies of a software program is legally required, especially if machines connected to a network are used.
  4. District employees and students are prohibited from assisting in making or knowingly using illegal copies of software.
  5. District employees and students are permitted to make an archival (back-up) copy of a software program, provided it is not used or transferred separately from the original program.

Legal Reference:

USCA Title 17 Copyrights. §117. Scope of exclusive rights: Use in conjunction with computers and similar information systems

Cross Reference:

Governing Board Policy 4340, Copyrights and Patents

Adopted by Board: February 19, 1991
Revised: September 9, 2008 (numeric to letter format only)