Question

Two weeks ago, you started a new job as a system administrator for a computer lab at a small college. Wanting to make a good impression, you immediately set out to learn more about the various applications provided to the users of the lab. One of the packages, an engineering design tool, seemed out of date. You looked through the lab’s file of licensing agreements to see how much it would cost to get an upgrade. To your horror, you discovered that the college never purchased a license for the software-it is running a copied version!

When you bring this to the attention of your boss, the college’s Director of Information Technology, he says, “The license for this software would cost us $10,000, which we do not have in our budget right now. This software is absolutely needed for our engineering students, though. Maybe we can get the license next year. For the time being, just keep the current version running.”

How would you respond to your manager?

Note: You need to do the following for the above question:

Give your own opinion about the above situation.

Write the “clauses” which relate most to the above scenario. Do not just write the clause number but also write the whole sentence with it. For example “8.05 Improve knowledge of relevant standards.” Only write the clauses which are most relevant to the above scenario.

Write the “principles” which relate most to the above scenario.” For example, “Principle: Share your knowledge, expertise, and values.”

Please use you own words No copy from any source , no handwriting and no duplicate answers from the same site ( chegg )

Answer 1

Dear Sir,

With due respect, I would again like to draw your attention towards the grave situation of use of pirated software in various engineering design tools in the laboratory of our very fine institution. Though I understand that there are monetory and budget constraints on buying the licences to the software, I Would Still like to present my thoughts on the issue and offer feasible and possible solutions.

1. Why not to use pirated or copied software?

• 1a. Principle: impart high values to our students.

It is one of our very important AIIMS to impart high level of values into our students. Using pirated software is same as stealing and violating copyrights and thus send wrong message to our students if we keep on doing so.

• 1b. Principle: be a law abiding citizen.

It is one of our foremost principles to obey the law of the land and respect it. Using pirated software is illegal and sends a wrong message to everyone associated with our fine college.

• 1c. Principle: bring about a positive social change.

As an organisation that imports education, we must spearhead the activities of spreading positive social change which is not possible until we are involved in the mins of piracy.

• 1d. Risk of viruses and corrupted disk and hardware.

Since the copied versions of the software are cracked by unknown sources, it may be dangerous to use as it may contain viruses, worms or other infections that may disrupt the licensed software We Own, damage our operating systems, as well as corrupt our storage disk and hardware.

• 1e. Documentation, warranty and Technical Support

The pirated software do not come with any user guide or documentation which may lead to incorrect use or or misuse. Further, it also does not bear any warranty, which may be problematic if we face any losses due to the use of such software.

Lack of Technical Support with the pirated software can also have dire consequences at the time of examinations and semester Seasons which may affect the learning and progress of our students.

• 1f. Software upgrades.

A licensed software will regularly receive software upgrades and patches. The 50 help in protecting against security threats and other bugs while the upgrades help in getting synchronised with the new technology. Using pirated software means no such security as well as imparting outdated training to our students which may affect their performance later in the real world.

• 1g. Lawsuits and litigations.

Using pirated and copied software in our college may lead to lawsuits against US which may cause us heavy losses. This may cause us a major embrassment and affect our reputation.

The United States Copyright Law section 101 et seq. Title 18 USC Section 2319 declares that copyright infringement can be punishable by up to 5 years in prison along with a fine of $250,000.

Considering this law, spending $10,000 on buying the licence for the software instead of using the pirated version seems to be a fair deal.

2. Solutions to the financial problems.

• 2a. Aid from government.

We can request the government for emergency 8 and grams so that we can buy the required software.

• 2b. Aid from private entities and fundraisers

Many companies grant AIDS to educational institutions as a part of their corporate social responsibility activities. We can consider getting help from them. We can also invite various search donors to fundraisers and elaborate to them the need for securing funds to licence our software so that we can import a better education among our students.

• 2c. Short term loans and EMI

We can take short term loans available to educational institutions on very minimal rate of interest to fulfill our software licensing needs. On the other hand we can also consider buying the software licence on easy monthly installments also known as EMI which will not incur a sudden financial burden on our institution.

• 2d. Requesting the software developer for discounts.

As an educational institution, we can also request the software developer to provide as discounts on the software licensing so that we can impart cheaper and better education to our students.

• 2e. Open source software

If we are unable to secure funds or by the licences for the software, we must look forward to using open source software which is available in the market. Using this software is free of cost and sometimes they are also much better then the licensed software.

Therefore I will request you to consider all the above points before making a decision. I hope together we can work towards ending social manners is such as piracy, and at the same time promoting a higher level of values among us and our students.

Yours sincerely,

System administrator.