I'm hoping to use software from the Windows 10 Operating System in an academic research project. I'm struggling to understand some of the wording in the terms found here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm
I'm hoping to analyse the software in a way that could be considered 'Reverse Engineering'. Under section 2.c.iv it says you may not:
reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software, or attempt to do so, except and only to the extent that the foregoing restriction is (a) permitted by applicable law; (b) permitted by licensing terms governing the use of open-source components that may be included with the software; or (c) required to debug changes to any libraries licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License which are included with and linked to by the software;
Therefore I believe I'm not allowed to analyse the software as I was hoping to. However I think I may be allowed as an Academic.
Section 14.d
Limited rightsversions. If the software version you acquired is marked or otherwise intended for a specific or limited use, then you may only use it as specified. You may not use such versions of the software for commercial, non-profit, or revenue-generating activities.
(i) Academic. For academic use, you must be a student, faculty or staff of an educational institution at the time of purchase.
If I was to purchase a software version that is not marked as limited rights, but is intended for a specific and limited use, whilst being a student of an academic institution, I assume this means I can use the software solely for academic purposes.
Section 13.c says
The academic use restriction in Section 14.d(i) below does not apply in the jurisdictions listed on this site: (aka.ms/academicuse).
I'm struggling to understand the wording here. If i qualify for academic use as explained above. Does this mean I can reverse engineer the software, as it prohibits in 2.c.iv
?
Thank you