Software Copyright Policy
South Dakota Mines has obtained licenses from a variety of vendors to use their software on computers that are owned and controlled by the school. South Dakota Mines does not own this software or its related documentation and, in general, Mines does not have the right to reproduce such software or to permit its reproduction by others.
South Dakota Mines students, faculty, and staff shall use all software only in accordance with applicable license agreements. Centrally managed licensing agreements are on file for review in the ITS Director’s Office, Room 136, of the Electrical Engineering/Physics Building. Making, acquiring, or using unauthorized copies of computer software or other copyrighted materials may result in disciplinary or legal action as the circumstances warrant.
The following statement regarding intellectual property and the legal and ethical use of software has been developed by EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit consortium of higher education institutions, which promotes the use of computing, networking, and information resources in teaching, learning, scholarship, and research. South Dakota Mines subscribes to the spirit of this statement and strives to promote understanding and observation of this statement.
Software and Intellectual Rights
Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to the works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community.