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Computer use guidelines

This page is intended to be a relatively simple collection of information about a fairly complex set of federal and state laws, and state and university policies and guidelines that govern the use of university information resources and computing technology. It is by no means comprehensive, authoritative, nor totally accurate for all instances — to make it so would be to make it as complex as all the underlying laws, policies and guidelines. Therefore, you should use this document as a general guide, and understand that if there are inconsistencies between this and the underlying rules, the rules govern. If you have any questions, please refer to the underlying information and the more information section of IT Connect (UW Seattle).

Knowing the rules

Protecting your data and UW data

Respecting copyrights

You may not copy or use any software, images, music, or other intellectual property (such as books or videos) unless you have the legal right to do so. More information about copyright is available on the UW Copyright Connection site.

Educational institutions are not exempt from the laws covering copyrights. Most software, images, music and files available for use on computers at the UW are protected by federal copyright laws. In addition, software, images, music and files normally are protected by a license agreement between the purchaser and the software seller. It is UW policy to respect federal copyright and license protections.

  • Software and information resources provided through the University for use by students, faculty, and staff may be used on computing equipment only as specified in the various software licenses. It is against University policy for you to copy or reproduce any licensed software on University computing equipment, except as expressly permitted by the software license.
  • It is a serious violation of UW policy to make or use unauthorized copies of software on University-owned computers or on personal computers housed in University facilities.

Unauthorized use of software, images, music or files is regarded as a serious matter and any such use is without the consent of the UW. If abuse of computer software, images, music or files occurs, those responsible for such abuse will be held accountable.

More on copyrights: