Keep in mind that commercial software use is usually restricted by license. When you buy, install, or use software, you are actually acquiring a license to use the software from the company that owns the copyrights and will be legally bound by their agreements. The conditions and restrictions of the license agreements vary from program to program and should be read carefully, especially in regard to copying limitations, permitted uses, prohibited uses, and restrictions.
Depending upon the agreement, the license can be a:
Olin College negotiates site licenses with software vendors for software products that are selected for extensive use to provide the college community with efficient access to these programs that support the curriculum while assuring the copyright owner a fair royalty. What you can do with software is limited by the license for that particular software package.
Software products that are not licensed to Olin College may also be licensed and used by individuals.
| Commercial | protected by copyright | license agreements vary | single archival copy allowed | derivative works not allowed | |
| Shareware | protected by copyright | should be identified as shareware | single archival copy allowed | derivative works not allowed | adopters owe a fee to rights holder |
| Freeware | protected by copyright | should be identified as freeware | copying allowed | derivative works allowed with conditions | distributed free: author retains rights but freely permits its use |
| Open source | protected by copyright | must be clearly identified as open source | copying allowed | derivative works allowed | no distribution restrictions; purpose is to encourage further development of the software; version control is maintained for the purpose of tracking improvements and acknowledging contributions |
| Public domain | not protected by copyright | must be clearly identified as public domain | copying allowed | derivative works allowed | no distribution restrictions |
Copying of commercial software is strictly limited, except for backup purposes. Those that are strictly prohibited include:
You may make a copy of computer software that is in the public domain. Unless clearly marked as public domain, assume the software is copyrighted.
You may install software on multiple machines and distribute it to users via a network, providing the number of simultaneous users does not exceed the number of licenses; and the number of machines being used does not exceed the number licensed. A network license may be required for multiple users.
Purchased computer software materials may be placed on reserve. Use limitations are subject to software licensing limitations.