Discussion of reasons for and possible implications of the illegal copying of software focuses on software theft in higher education. Copy protected versus non-copy protected software is discussed, the technology of microcomputer systems is considered, and the impact of theft on software developers and vendors is examined. (LRW)

Presents current licensing practices of software for microcomputers and demonstrates inadequacies of these practices to situations where installations make use of multiple microcomputers using realistic scenarios. Suggestions for possible revisions to licensing agreements that might alleviate these inadequacies are provided. (MBR)

Designed to provide educators with guidance for the lawful reproduction of computer software, this document contains suggested guidelines, sample forms, and several short articles concerning software copyright and license agreements. The initial policy statement calls for educators to provide software developers (or their agents) with a…

Answers questions on software copyright pertaining to teacher/media specialist responsibilities, use of purchased and leased software, backup copies, public domain software, warranties, defective goods, and software lending policies. Information on an existing public domain software-exchange program and a policy statement of International Council…

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of copyright law as it relates to computer software. The computer industry terminology, case law, and software protection by patents and trade secret legislation are examined, and it is argued that the protection of ownership rights of computer software poses major challenges to existing U.S.…

These two reports contain supporting material intended to accompany the Computer Literacy Acts of 1983 and 1984 (H. R. 3750). This bill was designed to promote the use of computer technologies in elementary and secondary schools by authorizing: (1) grants to local school districts, particularly in poor areas, to purchase computer hardware; (2)…

Compiled by various members of the higher educational community together with risk managers, computer center managers, and computer industry experts, this report recommends establishing policies on an institutional level to protect colleges and universities from computer viruses and the accompanying liability. Various aspects of the topic are…

Designed to serve as a blueprint for other libraries developing plans for microcomputer facilities, this report describes the planning and implementation of a microcomputer laboratory at South Dakota State University's Hilton M. Briggs Library. The university's plan for installing microcomputer labs on campus and the initial planning process…

The widespread introduction of microcomputers in higher education has had an impact on a variety of issues within the university community. One of the most important issues has to do with what constitutes intellectual property and who owns this property. Most universities have established a patent policy as there have long been financial rewards…

The 1980 Amendments (P.L. 95-517) to the updated Copyright Law of 1976 contain two major provisions pertaining to computers. First, only one copy of the master copy of a piece of software may be legally duplicated--the backup copy made by the owner for archival purposes. Second, the only other legal copy of the master copy owned by the user is…

Two papers describe the roles of the Software Development Group (SDG) and the Software Review Center (SRC) at Drexel University. The first paper covers the primary role of the SDG, which is designed to assist Drexel faculty with the technical design and programming of courseware for the Apple Macintosh microcomputer; the relationship of the SDG…

This hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space focuses on S. 272, the High-Performance Computing and Communications Act of 1991, a bill that provides for a coordinated federal research and development program to ensure continued U.S. leadership in this area. Performance computing is defined as representing the…

This report discusses Senate Bill no. 272, which provides for a coordinated federal research and development program to ensure continued U.S. leadership in high-performance computing. High performance computing is defined as representing the leading edge of technological advancement in computing, i.e., the most sophisticated computer chips, the…

This report provides a brief summary of the major findings and recommendations derived from an extensive study of educational technology programs funded by the State of California since 1984 under two legislative acts, AB 803 and AB 1470. An independent evaluation of educational technology programs required by AB 1470 was conducted by The Far West…