Worksheet for “But of course I can use it at home, can’t I?”

1. What are the key provisions of United States Copyright law applicable to software as described by the Business Software Alliance?

2. Read the Corporate Software Policy for the BSA Corporation. What are its key provisions?

3. Read the Society for Human Resource Management Code of Ethical and Professional Standards. Are there any provisions that relate to copying of software? Specifically, what are they?

4. Read the scenario and answer the question “Is it legal and ethical to copy the software for you to use at home for BUSINESS purposes only?”

5. Read the scenario and answer the question “Is it legal and ethical to copy the software for you to use at home for PERSONAL purposes only?”

6. Are the answers to questions 4 and 5 the same?

If yes, what is your philosophy on this issue?

If no, describe how your philosophy differentiates between the two situations?

Scenario: BSA Corporation

You have graduated from school and are working as a human resource manager at BSA Corporation. The salary is a bit lower than you hoped to get, which leaves you very little extra money, but there is opportunity for advancement. You have just begun a major assignment when your manager goes on three weeks vacation. As you work late every night (without extra compensation) you realize that a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel, would cut your work hours in half. Unfortunately, the only one who can approve software acquisitions that cost over $100 is your vacationing manager!!

Time is really tight for you since on weekends you are working on your personal budget and tax return—Excel would really come in handy for that work also.

Today, you talked to Chris, who works in another department at BSA. You mentioned your long hours and Chris said, “ No problem! I use Excel here at work and I made a copy to use at home. I’ll just bring in a copy and you can put it on your home PC and the one you use at work.”