Software Licensing can be confusing with each publisher having their own software licence however it is important that you purchase from a reputable supplier and that the software you install on your computers is legal.

What is a Software Licence?

When you purchase software you will receive permission from the copyright holder to use the computer software and this is called a software licence. At no point do you own the software.

Software licences can take many forms and cover may uses. You should carefully read the licence agreement that comes with any software you have purchased and that you are aware of the licensing implications before you install the software.

Risks of Using Illegal Software

When you use illegal software you are exposed to a number of risks to both yourself and your school

• You could face criminal charges
• If guilty you may face a fine which will cost your school/council money
• The reputation of your school/authority is damaged and may suffer from adverse publicity
• Depending on your authorities policy, you may face disciplinary action
• Face operational risks e.g. the software may not run properly or it may crash when you begin to use it, perhaps resulting in you losing all your work
• You will not have access to proper techical support
• No proper manuals to help you get the most out of the software
• You will not be able to upgrade the software
• The software may conflict with other software you have legally installed
• Your data could be corrupted
• Your software may have less protection against software viruses.

It is worth noting that each software publisher has its own licensing agreement and that all agreements are different.