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Unless software, including data, has been placed in the
public domain, software is protected by the U.S. Copyright
Act. This means that it is illegal to duplicate or distribute
software or its documentation without the permission of the
copyright owner. Software not copy-protected is not
necessarily public domain; it may not be copy-protected so
that legal back-up copies may be made. The software license
agreement must be referenced concerning legal restrictions as
to use of the software and copying of the software.
Just as the academic community cannot tolerate plagiarism, the
academic community cannot tolerate the unauthorized copying of
computer software and data. McNeese State University has
adopted the EDUCAUSE statement of principle about intellectual
property and the legal and ethical use of computer software
and data.
Because electronic information is volatile and easily
produced, 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. Violators of copyright law
may also be held personally liable for any infractions.
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