Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Software

Licensing

When you purchase software, you need to obtain the publisher’s permission to install and use it, subject to the terms and conditions of the publisher. The terms and conditions are the licence. Software on a computer that does not have a corresponding licence is illegal. Licenses can be for a single user, but can also be multiple or site licences. Please note that having a CD or DVD is not a licence.

It is advisable to store your licences (or photocopies of the details) in a central, easily accessible place. It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that you have enough software licences. A regular audit is recommended to ensure that you keep within the law. A nominated member of staff should have the responsibility for checking that all software used on your school computers is legitimate.

As some licenses may have accidentally been thrown away and others may have gone missing over the years, those schools that have not started a central store are encouraged to do so with the licenses that they have available; with all new licences filed when purchased.