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ChemIT has highlighted some of the MS DreamSpark program licensing rules on this page. And Oliver has documented his interpretation, FWIW.

What individuals should know about DreamSpark

Who can use this software license, and for what contexts:

https://www.dreamspark.com/Support/FAQ/Default.aspx#FAQ

Examples:

Q: Can professional support staff for departmental labs check out software?

A: Yes. Any professional support staff whose primary responsibility is to maintain departmental labs are eligible to install DreamSpark software onto their personal computers for non-commercial use. The license amendment defines "Staff" as "any personnel duly engaged by the qualified educational user to teach or instruct students and/or to conduct non-commercial research or other development-related activities on behalf of the qualified educational user."

Q: If students get software through the DreamSpark program, do they have unlimited usage of the software?

A:Students may enjoy unlimited usage of software for the purpose of furthering their learning and research efforts. The software is not to be used to run a business or for ventures that drive commercial profit. However, DreamSpark has partnered with the Microsoft App Store teams to enable students to create games and applications with the Windows Phone, and Windows 8 Developer kits. This is the one exception where a student is allowed to use the software available on DreamSpark for a money-making enterprise. To learn more, visit the Windows Phone App Development, the Windows 8 App Development and the Xbox Indie Games Development pages accessible from the App Development menu on the navigation bar of the Student Overview page.

DreamSpark Premium Usage Guidelines

Oliver's summary: Determine first if use qualifies. Then determine if person or computer qualifies. In too many instances, person or equipment might qualify, but "The tools and technologies provided through the DreamSpark Premium subscription may only be used for academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research". For example, that clause limits the license drastically for CCB staff's work or personal computers.

Oliver's take on specific guidelines presented:

Acceptable

Unacceptable

Oliver's thoughts

Students who are currently enrolled in at least one course in the member department may install the software on their personal computers.

Students who are in a member department but are not currently enrolled in courses that lead to credit or a certificate are not eligible to obtain DreamSpark Premium software for their personal computers.

All CCB graduate students would be eligible (are qualified), so could install software on their own personal computers. (But not allowed to install the software on computers of their family members!)
Rational: All CCB graduate students are working towards a STEM degree. All are enrolled in a STEM class, even it it's "just" CCB's thesis class.
Since license is "Perpetual Rights", student won't have to remove software when their relationship with CCB changes.

The tools and technologies provided through the DreamSpark Premium subscription may only be used for academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research.

The software that is part of the membership may not be used for any IT infrastructure or administration purposes at the DreamSpark Premium member's school, university, foundation, or organization.

All CCB research lab systems are eligible to use software licensed under this program.
Rational:All CCB research labs are engage in "academic projects", and of course also used for "academic instruction" and "non-commercial research".
Even if software is nominally allowed to be installed (under other guidelines listed in the FAQ), it can't technically be used unless it meets THIS guideline's criteria.
So, even if person or machine otherwise qualifies, if software would not be used for permitted use, can't install/ use the software.

Department, Faculty or Staff members who are directly involved with teaching or system administration related to DreamSpark Premium may install the software on their personal computer.

Department, Faculty, or Staff members who are not directly involved with teaching or system administration related to DreamSpark Premium may not install the software on their personal computers.

Who vets if specific staff  member qualifies as "directly involved with teaching or system administration related to DreamSpark Premium"?
CCB staff would benefit from guidelines/ rules.
If allowed, might represent a nice benefit to working in CCB. :-) For example, if someone qualifies, they can get any version of Windows for use on their personal, home computers for free, along with other software. But not all licensed software would be used for "academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research". See previous guideline.

Member departments may install DreamSpark Premium software on all machines owned by their department.

(....) Organizations and Departments that provide software to faculty and students should not install DreamSpark Premium software on shared machines unless they feel that they can enforce the License.

This guideline says any CCB computer can have this software installed.
All research computers in CCB are owned by Cornell, as are all staff computers, regardless of job. But not all licensed software would be used for "academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research" (See second guideline listed above.)

The program administrator must authorize any access to the MSDN Subscribers Area or the ELMS download portal to other faculty members within the department. Only qualified students, faculty and administrators may have access to DreamSpark Premium product keys.

The program administrator (PA) may not allow any other faculty members or students to place orders for additional product keys via the Subscribers Area of the MSDN Web site. DreamSpark Premium product keys may not be sold, distributed, traded or given to anyone outside the qualified department or organization.

ELMS likely will make the administration of this service doable for staff.


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