How Do You Define "Education" Licences?

[enjay]

We're considering a piece of software here for use by myself and the site supervisor - the product is dramatically cheaper when bought as an educational licence (the normal licence is nearly SIX times more expensive!). Would we be covered to use that licence, or do education licences only apply specifically to software used as part of the teaching?

[localzuk]

That depends on the license - every company is different. I'd contact the company and ask them. Usually though, education licenses mean for use by educational institutions rather than for use in teaching and learning.

[witch]

As far as I can ascertain, a piece of software for educational purposes is one that is used to facilitate teaching and learning. OR a piece of software whose primary purpose is teaching and self learning.

 

I think the word 'facilitate' is the key here.

I would have thought that if they sell an educational licence for it,(which they presumably had to justify to some organisation that checks these things) and you work in an educational establishment, and will only use the software there then it would be fine to buy it as such.

[enjay]

That was my thinking too, Witch, but it does depend how liberally you interpret "facilitate". At no point would students see or use this software, or directly use anything coming out of it, but it would aid both myself and the site maintenance team to resolve issues quicker, so the T&L would be impacted for less time.

 

It's a tricky one which I want to get right, partly because I'm a stickler for licensing and partly because it directly affects whether or not we buy it, as we can only justify it if it is at the educational price.

[GrumbleDook]

'Education' rather than 'educational' is the key here.

 

The first relates to software to be used in an educational institute to assist teaching, learning, management or leadership.

 

The second relates just to teaching & learning.

[Ric_]

I'm just intrigued as to what this [secret] software is

[GrumbleDook]

AutoCad?

[plexer]

As has been said contact the company and ask them.

 

I find that normally the discounted price applies because you are buying it as a school rather than a private individual or a business.

 

Ben

[enjay]

AutoCad?

Correct!

 

Our supplier has since come back having checked with Autodesk and says that we can only use the education licence in the classroom :-(

[kylewilliamson]

My understanding was that software sold to an educational instution wasnt restricted to specific T&L purposes.

 

I guess that isnt't the case, but it'd be hard to prove one way or the other.

[DMcCoy]

I shall remember to never buy anything from autodesk then. That is one of the most restrictive licenses I have come across if it really is only for use in the classroom, most others are simply sold to the qualifying educational establisment. The idea being we are simply here to educate and not make money!

[GrumbleDook]

When we spoke with them they said anything that benefits the T&L in the school, if that includes managing learning environments or designing news ones it is covered.

[enjay]

Interesting - perhaps I should ask a different supplier, see if they get a different answer!

[john]

If I had come on last night I would have said AutoCad, basically just get it, we use the educational version, the supplier said that it was flexing Autodesks rules but they said why should we waste money on the non-edu priced one as that will reduce what we can spend on the kids.

[russdev]

AutoCad?

Correct!

 

Our supplier has since come back having checked with Autodesk and says that we can only use the education licence in the classroom :-(

 

How about this install in classroom/ict suite great student got access and can use it. Also staff can login and use it great no problem so you book computer login and use it.

 

Russell

[mrcrazy04]

How about this install in classroom/ict suite great student got access and can use it. Also staff can login and use it great no problem so you book computer login and use it.

And I'd say you ought to install a copy on your workstation so that you can ensure it works on the network (assuming it's a site licence)

[ianbourne]

Educational software licenses in the main can be purchased by the institution. Obviously, an operating system for example, is not directly related to T&L but facilitates it; these are still available at educational pricing. You can also buy educational licensing from some vendors that will be used within the educational institution but not directly in the classroom, i.e. in the school admin.

 

Resellers should ask for a purchase order on headed paper before processing educational licenses so that there is an audit trail to prove the licenses were sold to a bone fide educational institution.

 

Some vendors, not only offer educational licensing but also 'teachers home use', e.g. Quark's whole school license (they are even offering all students a year's free home use at the moment).

 

Then there are 'student and teacher' offerings. That gets more challenging depending on the vendor. There are varying definitions for that category. for Micosoft the definition is more general and relates to students in full or part time education over the age of 5. Adobe have a more complex approach eg:

" Customers will only be able to register one copy of each product in a 12 month period.

" This product is for personal use ONLY. This product may not be used for commercial gain.

" Resellers must communicate the following in all marketing communications for products in this program:

" Students will be required to provide proof of their current student status to install the products. Students must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at an acceptable Education Institution (being a bona fide university or college -- including community, junior and vocational colleges or other further education colleges -- that grants degrees requiring not less than the equivalent of two (2) years of full time study) OR Students must be enrolled at an accredited public or private primary or secondary school providing full-time instruction.

" Product licenses are limited to one per customer. This license may only be used on a privately-owned computer. The product may not be used for commercial purposes.

 

Hope that was helpful!