Items can also be charged to a University or SHS account. An initial enrollment fee and modest annual fee apply. The agreement enables it to distribute operating systems and development environments for the HPUX system. The cost of obtaining support for these systems is expected to decline significantly as their presence on campus increases. Software developers are encouraged to distribute software to research colleagues at other universities or companies on a royalty-free or cost reimbursement basis.
Distribution can take place in several ways, depending on the developer's wishes.
Patentable software is subject to the University's patent policy. A developer may place the software in the public domain, thus allowing unencumbered use by the public. Developers who are interested in the distribution of their software on a royalty-bearing basis or in the commercialization of a software program should disclose the software to the Office of Technology Licensing. Software developers should pay special attention when hiring non-University employees to write software code. Such a written agreement should be in place prior to commencement of work.