Software

Software Copyright, Fair Use & Education Technorati (2012), Retrieved from,http://technorati.com/technology/article/officials-clamp-down-on-pirated-software/

Up until recently computer software programs were not copyrighted. In the past not many people owned personal computers or software programs, therefore computer software programs were not copyrighted. Over time computers became affordable for personal use and increased the need for computer software programs. Now that people owned computers and software programs it became easy for the public to download and steal computer software programs using peer to peer networking, exchanging files through a server. This created a huge problem of not having control over the software itself. The Copyright Act of 1976 made it clear that software computer programs would be considered as “Literary Works” and made it possible to copyright computer software programs.

**Not acceptable use of Software for Education** The owner of a copyrighted software program is not capable of storing, processing, retrieving, or transferring information, or in conjunction with any similar device, machine, or process, than those afforded to works under the law. “The Copyright Act does not permit anyone to sell backup copies to third parties separately from the original copy of the software. If you lawfully own a computer program, you may sell or transfer that lawful copy together with a lawfully made backup copy of the software, but you may not sell the backup copy alone”. (The Copyright office library of Congress (2012) Retrieved, []). *It is also important to check the terms of sale or license agreement of the original copy of the software because there might be special conditions and circumstances.

**Acceptable use of Software for Education** It is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of a copy or adaptation of that computer program provided:

1) That a new copy is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that is used in no other manner, or 2) That such new copy is for archival purposes and that all archival copies are destroyed. 3) It is not an infringement for the owner or lessee of a machine to make or authorize the making of a copy of a computer program if the copy is made solely for the activation of a machine that lawfully contains the authorized copy of the computer program already. 4) For purposes of maintenance or repair of a machine, a new copy of the computer software may be used however it must be destroyed immediately. (The Copyright office library of Congress (2012) Retrieved, [])

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The Copyright office library of Congress (2012). Copyright and Digital Files. Retrieved, [] The Copyright office library of Congress(2012). Subject Matter and Scope of Copyright. Retrieved, []