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Information Technology

Software Licensing Policy

The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor/Provost have mandated that the UWSP campus will be licensed and legal on computer software and that UWSP will be able to successfully stand a UW System Software License Audit.

The Faculty Senate passed (9-2-92) and the Chancellor accepted the following Computer Software Policy statement:

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point licenses the use of computer software from vendors and developers; individuals also purchase software with licensing and use agreements. All University employees and students are expected to use software in accordance with the appropriate licensing agreements.

The fact that the University is an educational institution does not confer rights to copy or use software in any way not authorized by provisions of licensing and use agreements.

Under the provision of U.S. copyright law, illegal reproduction of software can be subject to civil damages of up to $100,000 and criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. University employees or students who make, acquire, or use unauthorized copies of software may be subject to disciplinary action under the provisions of Chapters UWSP 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, or applicable union contracts and state statutes, as appropriate. Disciplinary action may include dismissal or expulsion.

If the University is sued or fined as the result of unauthorized use of software by employees or students, it may seek to recover costs from the individuals involved. If an employee is sued in an allegation that the employee made or used software without authorization, liability protection under Wisconsin statutes may not apply for that employee.

Each unit head, from the department chair/director level on up, will be responsible for seeing that his/her unit is licensed and legal for all software packages used by the unit's faculty and/or staff. As such, the unit head will do what is appropriate to become and maintain the unit’s licensed and legal position, and will keep and maintain his/her unit’s software licensing records.