BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
County of Linn, Iowa
SUBJECT: Directive Number:
Policy for Personal Computer Software Use
Approval Date: Effective Date: Revision No: Policy Section & Number:
05/15/2002 05/15/2002 1 OP - 006
Reference: Distribution:
Minutes of 01/16/1996 All Employees
There is an increasing reliance on packaged PC software for the numerous computer applications used
within Linn County. Generally, the software is acquired under license from vendors and the agreements
carry various restrictions regarding use of the product. In order to stress license agreement compliance,
minimize risk to the organization, and increase our ability to support PC systems, the County has
developed the following policies for the use of computer software:
1. Linn County purchases or licenses the use of copies of computer software from a variety
of outside companies. Linn County does not own the copyright to the software or its
related documentation and, unless authorized by the software developer, does not have
the right to reproduce it for use on more than one computer.
2. With regard to use on local area networks or on multiple machines, Linn County
employees shall use the software only in accordance with the license agreement.
3. Copyrighted software which is licensed to the County must NOT be installed or used on
more than a single computer at a time (subject to restrictions applying to use on a
specific computer) unless the software license specifically states that installation and/or
use on multiple computers is allowed. An employee may be allowed to use copies of
software both at home and at County offices if the responsible department head
approves such use is acceptable. Each department is responsible for insuring that
appropriate copies of software are deleted when an employee using software on multiple
computers transfers to another position or leaves the County.
4. Only business related software shall be installed on County-owned computers.
5. The County generally discourages employees from acquiring software from bulletin board
sources. If any software is acquired in that manner, it is the acquiring employee’s
responsibility to abide by all terms and conditions of each licenses agreement, including
payments, and to run current virus detection software immediately after transfer to insure
integrity of the system.
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6. Individually owned software will not be used on County personal computers. This policy
is to prevent the improper duplication of software programs and to protect the County’s
computer system from viruses that may be hidden in shareware programs or programs
obtained from bulletin boards. All software used by Linn County on county personal
computers will be properly purchased following appropriate procedures.
7. Each department will maintain an inventory of its software licenses.
8. Since software license violations may subject the County to substantial penalties or other
legal action, appropriate disciplinary measures may be imposed for any violation of this
policy.
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