Copy protection makes it difficult to illegally copy or use licensed software. Copy-protected software may, for example, require you to use a password or enter a serial number before you can run the software. Software acquired by U-M is usually licensed. The licenses restrict how and where the software can be legally used by members of the community. This applies to software installed on hard disks and servers at Campus Computing Sites, software distributed on disks by campus information technology providers, software on a campus mainframe, software on a campus central file storage system, and software available through campus networks.
Some institutional licenses permit copying for certain purposes.
U-M maintains information about University software licenses on the GOpherBLUE information server. It is illegal for a faculty member or student to copy software for distribution among the members of a class without the permission of the author or publisher. U-M has negotiated agreements that make software available either to use or for purchase at special prices. Software available through institutional site licenses or bulk purchases is subject to copyright and license restrictions, and you may not make or distribute copies without authorization. Software can be expensive.