Research Guides: Copyright: Software

Software

Computer software is generally copyrighted just as a book is. Unlike a book, it is difficult to use just a small portion of it and call it fair use. Computer software can be sold, licensed or freely distributed. Just because software might be free, does not mean it is not copyrighted or that there is no license dictating terms of use.

A license is a legal agreement between you and your software publisher. The license spells out what you can and cannot do with the software. It might specify the number of computers on which the software may be installed or address resale rights. Software may include a validation feature as a check on proper use. There are several categories of software and licenses.

Common Types of Software and Licenses

FAQs

Privately Owned Software

1. Can I make a backup copy of my purchased software program?

2. I bought some software for my privately owned laptop. Can I leave my purchased software on my computer when I sell my computer to someone else?

3. If I have adapted the software, may I transfer the software to someone else?

4. My colleague gave me a copy of a commercial software program that he bought. Can I use it and load it on my computer?

5. My colleague and I are working on a joint research project. He has special software that I will also need to use for a few months. Since we are doing educational research, can we share this software even though our license says we cannot? Is this fair use?

6. If my software license contains a “Not for resale” clause, can I or can’t I resell it? The copyright law makes it sound like I can.

7. I have software that is licensed. Can I copy it to my newer computer? I don’t plan to use my old computer any longer.

8. I have lost the license for my software. What do I do?

9. Can I lend my software to a friend?

10. If there is no copyright symbol on the software, is it under copyright?

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Common types of Software and Licenses

Shared source - Microsoft developed “shared source.” There is not one standard license for shared source, there are several. When using this software, read the accompanying restrictions on use.

Shareware is proprietary software that is distributed freely or at low cost as a way for users to test drive copyrighted software they are interested in purchasing. Shareware will usually come with a license and registration. Shareware often distinguishes between commercial and non-commercial use.

Freeware – Although free, this software is copyrighted. It may have proprietary code or it may be open source software. It could even be in the public domain. Look for possible restrictions on use.

Open Source (OS) software is copyrighted, but the copyright holder ascribes to the OS license principles. OS comes with a license that uses special criteria known as Open Source Definition (OSD) established by the Open Source Initiative. See OSD for the ten principles. This is non-proprietary software. It can be downloaded, modified and redistributed. Commonly known OS software examples include Apache and Mozilla.

Implied License - This sort of license may appear on the box or in the printed information that comes with purchased software. There will be wording that states that your use of the software implies consent to the terms of use. (Simpson 88)

Shrink Wrap Licenses- These licenses are found after the buyer tears off the shrink wrap and opens the box. While “shrink wrap” licenses have been found to be unenforceable in some cases, one cannot assume this is will always be true.

Click Wrap License- Also known as “click through,” this is similar to a Shrink Wrap license, but we find these all over the web or on CDs. The user is required to agree to terms before using the service.

Copyleft License- This liberal license retains copyright for the creator, but allows the user to modify and distribute the software with the understanding that “downstream” users will be equally generous. GNU (General Public License) is a copyleft type of license.

Public Domain software – this is software that has no copyright restricting its use, no license, it’s free for you to use any way you wish.

Copyright Law and Software

If computer software is wrapped inside so many types of licenses, what does the exemption in the law allow me to do? ( Copyright Law, Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 117 Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer Programs)

The purchaser of an original copy of a computer program may “make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of the computer program provided:

(1) that the new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in using the program on one’s computer [an ephemeral copy] and that it is used in no other manner, or

(2) that such new copy or adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the coputer program should cease to be rightful.”

The making of an archival copy permitted under this section of the law does not apply to software that is licensed unless the license allows it. (Simpson 89)

If a computer needs maintenance or repair, section 117 allows the owner or lessee of the computer to make a copy of a computer program in order to make the repair. This extra copy made in order to repair the computer must be destroyed immediately after the repair is made.

Original copies of software and copies made from originals may be “leased, sold or otherwise transferred…only as part of the lease, sale or other transfer of all rights in the program.” Adaptations “may be transferred only with the authorization of the copyright owner.” However, if your license speaks to the lease, sale or transfer of software, you must abide by those stated restrictions.

FAQs

Privately Owned Software

1. Can I make a backup copy of my privately purchased software program?

If the software is licensed, check to see what it permits. In most cases this is permitted. If the software has no license, you can keep the original purchased copy as the archival copy. The copy on your computer would be a second copy and is permissible.

2. I bought some software for my privately owned laptop. Can I leave my purchased software on my computer when I sell my computer to someone else?

If the software is licensed, check to see what kinds of transfer of ownership it permits. (Although there is some question about the enforceability of the license, the risk averse path is to abide by the license). Look for a clause allowing you to transfer the software to a third party. Some allow this; the license may tell you if you need to uninstall it first. The software may have to be transferred as a separate item. If your software falls into one of the more liberal licenses above that permits this or is public domain software, you may sell the software on the computer. If the software has no license, you may sell or transfer the copy of your computer software to the new owner of your computer, but all use rights go with it. You may no longer use that software. This also applies to a lease situation.

3. If I have adapted the software, may I transfer the software to someone else?

If the software is licensed, check to see what it permits. Modifications may not be allowed unless the software falls under one of the more liberal types of software mentioned above. If the software has no license and does not fall into a category allowing adaptation, then adaptations may be transferred only with the authorization of the copyright owner, not the physical owner.

4. My colleague gave me a copy of a commercial software program that he bought. Can I use it and load it on my computer?

If the software is licensed, check to see what it permits. If the software does not fall into one of the more liberal types of licenses above nor is public domain, your colleague may not load it on your computer unless your colleague transfers it to you and removes it from his or her computer.

5. My colleague and I are working on a joint research project. He has special software that I will also need to use for a few months. Since we are doing educational research, can we share this software even though our license says we cannot? Is this fair use?

If the license does not permit it, then no.

6. If my software license contains a “Not for resale” clause, can I or can’t I resell it? The copyright law makes it sound like I can.

If the license clearly states you cannot resell the software, then you must follow the license. If you agree to the terms of a license, then overrides this section of the law.

7. I have software that is licensed. Can I copy it to my newer computer? I don’t plan to use my old computer any longer.

If the software is licensed, check to see what it permits. Look for a reassignment clause. Many licenses will let you reassign software to a different device.

8. I have lost the license for my software. What do I do?

Many licenses are posted on the Website of the software publisher. If not, contact the software publisher.

9. Can I lend my software to a friend?

The only lending or renting of software allowed is for nonprofit libraries under the Copyright Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990.

10. If there is no copyright symbol on the software, is it under copyright?

Assume it is. The symbol is not required any longer.

Copying Computer Software

Computer software is tangible material and can be copyrighted. The Doctrine of Fair Use applies to computer software.

Permissible uses of copyrighted software owned by or licensed to the University or its faculty:

Copying it by using it in a computer's memory.
Making one backup or archival copy.
Making adaptations in order to use a particular machine.
Lending it.
Selling it, in which case the backup or archival copy must be destroyed.

Prohibited uses of copyrighted software:

Making copies for gift or sale.
Copying a computer program purchased for use at the University in order to use it at home.
Copying a computer program purchased for use in one department or school for use in another department or school. A site license should be negotiated to allow multiple uses on campus.