This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise.
The working group of the directors of computing centers in academia (ALWR) adopted the code and translated it into German.
This “code”– intended for adaptation and use by individual higher education institutions – was developed by the EDUCOM Software Initiative in the USA. Therefore, we offer the following statement of principle about intellectual property and the legal and ethical use of software.
Just as we do not tolerate plagiarism, we do not condone the unauthorized copying of software, including programs, applications, data bases and code. As members of the academic community, we value the free exchange of ideas. Respect for the intellectual work and property of others has traditionally been essential to the mission of higher education institutions. Unauthorized copying of software can deprive developers of a fair return for their work, increase prices, reduce the level of future support and enhancement, and inhibit the development of new software products. Also, the institution may find it more difficult to negotiate agreements that would make software more widely and less expensively available to members of the academic community. If unauthorized copying proliferates on a campus, the institution may incur a legal liability. Unauthorized copying of software by individuals can harm the entire academic community. Copyright law protects software authors and publishers, just as patent law protects inventors. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal. They may not understand the implications of their actions or the restrictions imposed on them by copyright law, patent law and criminal law. Unfortunately, in order to get their work done quickly and conveniently, some people justify making and using unauthorized copies of software. Software enables us to accomplish many different tasks with computers. It also gives answers to questions about using software and offers possible alternatives to explore. The guide deals with the following aspects: * ALWR = working group of the directors of computing centers in academia, in which almost all of Germany's computing centers in research and teaching are represented.*ADAPSO = Computer Software and Services Industry Association.*EDUCOM = non-commercial association of over 450 higher education institutions in the United States dedicated to the organization of information technology in higher education.The following guide to the ethical and legal use of software for members of the academic community was written by EDUCOM* and ADAPSO* and translated into German and published by ALWR. If the user who ordered the product or the product itself requires a data carrier, additional costs for the data carrier and/ or postage arise. Information: Most products can be downloaded at the website of the manufacturer or distributor.
Transfer order or commitment to make a payment order for the resulting costs of the invoice.
Price for one license, data carrier: Number of licenses, price for one license.Product name (version number, operating system, language), number of licenses.Access information for ASKRUM: Only required if the software is installed from our software server ASKRUM.E-mail address of the university: The University IT sends the license information via e-mail.Contact for technical issues: An employee of the institution listed in the directory of staff members of the University of Mannheim.Contact: Signature of the chair holder or head of institute.The form must contain the following data: Please complete the form for the required software in Acrobat Reader only and send the signed form by e-mail to software-beschaffung . Then you will be granted access to the download server and receive the key, if applicable. Payment will be made via transfer or the invoice of the supplier will be forwarded to you for payment.