From: kadie@eff.org (Carl M. Kadie)
Subject: Iowa State U. Code of Computer Ethics (was Re: Babak Sehari ...)
Originator: kadie@eff.org
Organization: The Electronic Frontier Foundation
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 21:12:06 GMT

[The version of the policy that I quoted was out of date. Here is
the current version.]

-------------------- ISU computer ethics document ------------------
 
    Iowa State University endorses the following statement of Software
  and Intellectual Rights that was developed through EDUCOM, a non-profit
  consortium of colleges and universities committed to the use and
  management of information technology in higher education.
 
         "Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to
       academic discourse and enterprise.  This principle applies to
       works of all authors and publishers in all media.  It encom-
       passes 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."
 
    The above statement provides a guide for the ethical use of computer
  facilities whether one is using a microcomputer, minicomputer, mainframe
  computer or supercomputer, or computer network, and whether the computer
  files, programs, or data are stored on floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic
  tape, or other storage media.  Computer facilities and files owned by
  others should be used or accessed only with the owner's permission.
 
    Viewing or using another person's computer files, programs or data
  without authorized permission is unethical behavior and an invasion of
  that person's privacy.  Such behavior, if used for personal gain, is
  plagiarism.  Ethical standards apply even when material appears to be
  legally unprotected.  Improper use of copyrighted material may be
  illegal.
 
    The following guidelines govern ethical computer use at Iowa State
  University:
 
    #  Unauthorized access to restricted data bases is unethical.
 
    #  Use of computer facilities by an individual must be authorized by
       the owner or administrative unit.  Prior permission to use another
       user's computer account or user-id must be acquired from the owner
       of the account, who is responsible for its use.  Changing another
       person's password is considered a form of harassment and is
       unethical behavior.
 
    #  Users are responsible for their use of computer hardware, accounts
       and user-ids.  These should be used only for the stated purpose;
       e.g., instructional class accounts must be used only to support the
       given courses.  University computer facilities are not to be used
       for private monetary gain unless specifically authorized for such
       use.
 
    #  Users must not browse, access, copy or change private files without
       authorization, or change public files without authorization.
       Users must not attempt to modify the computer systems or software
       in any unauthorized manner.  The use of invasive software, such as
       "worms" and "viruses" destructive to computer systems, is unethical
       and illegal.  Copyrighted software must only be used in accordance
       with its license or purchase agreement.  Users do not have the
       right to receive and/or use unauthorized copies of software, or
       make unauthorized copies of software for themselves or others.
 
    #  University computing facilities are a valuable resource for
       University use and they should be conserved.  Users should properly
       utilize these resources to minimize any unnecessary impact of their
       work on others, for example, users should avoid excessive game playing.
 
    #  ISU policies regarding the appropriate use of university facilities
       and the ethics of personal behavior apply to the use of all forms of
       electronic communication.  In addition, users of any electronic
       communication facilities, such as electronic mail, networks, bulletin
       boards and newsgroups, are obligated to comply with the restrictions
       and acceptable practices established for those specific facilities.
       Certain types of communications are expressly forbidden.  This includes
       the random mailing of messages; the sending of obscene, harassing, or
       threatening material; or the use of the facilities for commercial or
       political purposes.
 
    #  Hardware, software, manuals, supplies, etc., must not be removed
       from computing sites without proper authorization.
 
    #  Abuse or misuse of any computer hardware or software will be
       regarded as illegal and/or unethical behavior.
 
    Violations of the University Code of Computer Ethics are treated like
  any other ethical violation as outlined in the Student Handbook and
  applicable faculty and staff handbooks.   Violators may also be billed
  for illegal use of the computer systems and may be prosecuted for
  statutory violations, including Chapter 716A, Computer Crime, of the
  Iowa Code.
 
                         #########################
                Copyright (c) 1992 by Iowa State University
 
  Permission to reproduce all or part of this document for noncommercial
  purposes is granted, provided the author and Iowa State University are
  given credit.  To copy otherwise requires specific permission.

-- 
Carl Kadie -- I do not represent EFF; this is just me.
 =kadie@eff.org, kadie@cs.uiuc.edu =
Newsgroups: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk