Copyright Compliance: EGAD-R-1

The Superintendent recognizes that computer software piracy is a major problem for the industry and that violations of computer copyright laws contribute to higher costs and greater efforts to prevent copies and/or lessen incentives for the development of good educational software. All of these results are detrimental to the development of effective educational uses of computers. Therefore, in an effort to discourage violation of copyright laws and to prevent such illegal activities:

1. The ethical and practical problems caused by software piracy will be taught in all schools in the district.
2. District employees will be expected to adhere to the provisions of law, rules and regulations to allow for the making of a back-up copy of computer programs. It is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided:
   • a. Such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or
   • b. Such a new copy and adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be rightful.
3. When software is to be used on a disk-sharing system, efforts will be made to secure this software from copying.
4. Illegal copies of copyrighted programs may not be made or used in school equipment.
5. The legal or insurance protection of the district may not be extended to employees who violate copyright laws.
6. The superintendent or a designee will be designated as the only individual who may sign license agreements for software for schools in the district. Each school using the software also should have a signature on a copy of the software agreement for local control.

Adopted October 13, 1998

Revised February 10, 2014