When you purchase a piece of software, you purchase not the software itself but a license to use it under specified conditions. The license explains how, when, and where you are legally allowed to use the software. There are license terms and conditions that you are expected to follow whether you purchase a shrink-wrapped package from a store or whether you participate in one of your district's license agreements.

Licenses vary from product to product and vendor to vendor. For example, the license for a word processing program might require that you use it on only one computer, while a license for a font or typeface may allow you to install and use it on several computers as long as they all print to only one printer.

It's important to know the terms of the license before using a piece of software, because these agreements are protected by U.S. copyright laws. This information brought to you by the University of Michigan Information Technology Division (ITD).

Licensing

There are a variety of different terms associated with software licensing:
Single User License - a license for one computer, although some educational software will allow an educator to load a copy at home as well as in the classroom (Inspiration is one that allows that).

Multi-User License - a license for a certain amount of computers, such as Tom Snyder’s 5, 10, 30, and 50-user packs.

Site License - a type of volume purchase that usually has rules or restrictions applied. The actual "site" of the licensed software varies, e.g. lab, dept, network, multiple networks, building. Each piece of software will have stipulations on the number of computers or users allowed.

Building License - a type of volume purchase that is used in one physical building. Software vendors may have stipulations on the number allowed.

Network License - a type of volume purchase to be hosted on a school or district server. The software for a network license may be different from individual license in order to allow it to be accessed over the network. Software may have stipulations on the number of users allowed to access it.

To find out about licenses for specific software, consult the software vendor or the REMC Bid list and contact the supplier of each software title to find out specific licensing to fit your needs. On the REMC Bid site, click the Software link, then find a software publisher (such as Adobe) and locate general information. Click on the Vendor Information to contact the representative to find out prices and license agreements available.

Piracy

To copy software or load software onto more computers than a district has licenses for is illegal and is called "softlifting."

Piracy topics and lessons for students (K-8) are housed on Education Division's Anti-Piracy web page. This site includes both piracy and copyright laws. Resources are listed for the following topics: Computer Ethics, Respecting the Law, and Cyber Citizenship On-line. This site also includes very good Frequently Asked Questions. Discover the answers to questions such as: "Is it okay for schools to copy software?" and "What does the law say about copying software?"

Freeware and Shareware

Some software applications fall under the heading of either Freeware or Shareware. Even though many such applications are popular for handheld computers, there are many applications for desktop computers that are Freeware or Shareware as well.

Freeware software is FREE and can usually be copied and distributed freely.

Shareware applications usually require no initial cost, but the author asks that if the software is going to be used that the user sends in a small registration fee. Sometimes shareware applications stop functioning after a trial period. However many shareware programs continue to work and rely on the honesty of the user to register.