This is a violation of the Texas Computer Crimes Penal Code
The following information was quoted from the Student Regulations Appendix V as of April 11, 2000:
2. PROHIBITED ACTS
2.1 The unauthorized use, copying, or distribution of copyrighted software is a violation of the U. S. Copyright Act. These illegal acts are commonly referred to as "software piracy." Violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
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(1) making extra copies of microcomputer-based software for use on other microcomputers unless specifically allowed through a licensing agreement;
(2) putting copies on a network so that they may be copied by others; (3) obtaining copies of software from others without paying the appropriate licensing fees; and (4) unauthorized distribution of software by electronic mail." ... |
Click here to view the entire document from TAMU System Policies: Section C 21.99.10
According to Title 17, U.S.C., Section 102, works that are protected by copyright include:
"Section 102. Subject matter of copyright: In general (a) Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. Works of authorship include the following categories:
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(1) literary works; (2) musical works, including any accompanying words; (3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music; (4) pantomimes and choreographic works; (5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; (6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works; (7) sound recordings; and (8) architectural works. (b) in no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work." |
Additional information can be found at the Unix Local Policies