The agreement must be renewed by the end of 2001, or all software obtained through the agreement must be deleted from computers belonging to the University or its employees, according to a page on the Web site of UNC's RAM shop.
Under the agreement, Microsoft reserves the right to include on any copy of its software "proactive technical disabling mechanisms" that would enable the RAM shop to disable the software when the agreement ends.
The Web page warns users that they "would likely suffer data loss or other system errors or malfunctions if (they) continue to run the software after the termination or expiration of this agreement."
Bentley Midkiff, a research technician in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, said he was concerned when he learned of the licensing policy for the first time.
"If, for example, UNC decides not to renew the license, the software contains disabling devices," Midkiff said. "If that were actually to happen, it seems like in my mind that could be potentially problematic."
UNC employee Joe Waddell, a computer-systems administrator, raised another concern when he learned many corporate licensees of Microsoft are being forced to upgrade to the new Microsoft Office XP now or face higher prices later.
"I was concerned that if we do not upgrade now to the latest and greatest Microsoft product, it might cost more if we choose to wait to upgrade," Waddell said. "With Windows XP coming out soon, I'm wondering if we're going to have to move to that."
But he said he did not expect there to be problems. "I'm sure they're going to take care of it. They've done very well so far with this license as far as I'm concerned."
UNC Software Acquisition Manager Sund
