Using different software packages for the same function makes sharing files more difficult and purchasing, support, maintenance, and training more complicated. Consequently, we have standardized on Microsoft Office as our common office software for use on all personal computers. This includes any personal software of your own. Licenses for personal computer software usually restrict the use of the purchased software to a single computer system. Copying licensed software for use on other computer systems would place the city in violation of the license agreement and subject us to civil and criminal penalties.
Most software licenses do permit copies to be made for backup and archive purposes.
Some software has special rules that may permit a second copy to be used on a home or laptop computer. However, such rules must be determined on a case by case basis. Accordingly, it is City policy that no employee shall make a copy of software without proper authorization. No employee shall violate software licenses by making unauthorized copies, using unauthorized copies or using licensed software on more than one computer. Violation of license agreements by sharing of single user personal computer licenses among personal computer local area network users is expressly covered by this policy.