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University of California, San Diego's polices pertaining to software licensing and copyright are handled by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO).

The office provides some general guidance on the release of software on their FAQ page.  For instance:

Q19: I have a software program that I want to post on the Internet so that other users may download it for "not-for-profit" uses for free. Is this allowed?

A: Yes. However, TTO has a "click-wrap simple permission statement" that you should post on or before the first page of your downloadable program.

...

Q21: Does the university allow the open-source release of software?

A: It is not UC San Diego's preferred practice. This is because of the "viral" or "infectious" nature that requires all downstream work to be released in the same manner. However, UC San Diego does allow open-source release when the following conditions are met:

  • All involved developers and authors consent to the request in writing.
  • There are no conflicting sponsor obligations (e.g. DFAR).
  • All developers and authors agree in writing that they will not pursue personal financial benefits from activities related to the use of the open-source released software (this is to comply with conflict-of-interest regulations).

In addition, it should be noted that it is difficult to monitor and enforce the contractual obligations under open-source release.

There are several types of licenses available for open-source software release. UC San Diego will, to the extent possible, use the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) license because it does not have the restrictive, evolving nature that is inherent in GPL licenses. The latest proposed version of the GPL also conflicts with UC policies governing patents and copyrights.

Here is the UC Software Copyright Notice.

TTO requests that this license be included when open-sourcing software:

Copyright   <year work created>   The Regents of the University of California
All Rights Reserved
 
Permission to copy, modify and distribute any part of this <xxxxx, name of the copyright protected material; e.g. ABC Software Program> for educational, research and non-profit purposes, without fee, and without a written agreement is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice, this paragraph and the following three paragraphs appear in all copies.
 
Those desiring to incorporate this <name of work> into commercial products or use for commercial purposes should contact the Technology Transfer Office.

Technology Transfer Office
University of California, San Diego 
9500 Gilman Drive
Mail Code 0910 
La Jolla, CA 92093-0910

Ph: (858) 534-5815
FAX: (858) 534-7345
E-MAIL:invent@ucsd.edu.

 
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS <name of work>, EVEN IF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
THE <name of work> PROVIDED HEREIN IS ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.  THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER IMPLIED OR EXPRESS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE USE OF THE <name of work> WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER RIGHTS.

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