Terms of use for MATLAB & Simulink from MathWorks for employees and students of RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen University offers its employees and students MathWorks' MATLAB and Simulink software as both network licenses and single-user licenses. The use of user-specific single-user licenses is possible within a defined framework. Network licenses are available via the RWTH Aachen University server; this is not cloud software.

The services offered by MATLAB in the cloud and the single-user licenses are provided on cloud servers belonging to third-party providers, including AWS. RWTH Aachen University has no physical access to the hardware. We recommend that you disable or refrain from using all cloud storage options. However, RWTH Aachen University is responsible for implementing authentication and managing the licenses.

In order to enable authentication and the administration of services and single-user licenses from a technical perspective, the status, RWTH email address (ending in @rwth-aachen.de), and eduperson Target ID are transmitted via Shibboleth Single Sign-On (SSO).

The following obligations apply to users. These arise directly from the MathWorks license terms and conditions as well as measures to ensure data protection and information security:

• The use of MathWorks software and services is subject to the current version of the Privacy Policy:
  https://de.mathworks.com/company/aboutus/policies_statements.html
• The use of MATLAB and Simulink is intended for activities in the context of RWTH Aachen University and exclusively for academic research and teaching. Accordingly, use for commercial or private purposes is not permitted.
• When using MATLAB and Simulink, the applicable legal provisions and regulations (licensing law, data protection law, personnel file law, tax law, copyright law, telemedia law, statutory retention periods, archiving law, US export control law, etc.) must be observed.
• You are only authorized to use the software and services during the licensed period and with the appropriate status (employee or student). All software must be deleted and services may no longer be used if RWTH Aachen University terminates the campus agreement or does not submit an application for membership or renewal order before the end of the licensed period, or does not purchase perpetual licenses, whichever occurs first.
• Before employees or students leave RWTH, they are responsible for deleting all data, including their accounts in MATLAB and Simulink.
• No personal data may be processed in MATLAB—the tool is used solely for solving mathematical problems and for graphical representation.

Some MathWorks services process and store data in the cloud. We recommend that you do not use these services and actively disable them (link to instructions). The following rules apply in principle:

• Confidential and strictly confidential data must not be stored in the cloud due to the very high level of protection required. This includes:
  • Confidential – High – Scientific data (e.g., confidential research data), non-public personal data such as travel or payroll records, network plans, protected student research projects, examination records, investigation results
  • Strictly confidential – Very high (e.g., data subject to confidentiality clauses or personnel file data)
• The IT Center does not create a central backup for data stored in the cloud (such as MATLAB Drive). Specific documents can be synchronized on end devices.
• MATLAB Drive is not a system for permanent storage in the sense of archiving.
• Sharing documents in MATLAB Drive or collaborating with external parties:
  • Use between universities is possible for existing contracts or projects.
  • Shared use with external companies or research institutions is only possible under existing contracts (e.g., cooperation agreements) that regulate data exchange. Department 9 is available to answer any legal questions.

By using MATLAB and Simulink, you accept the above regulations. In addition, we recommend the following procedures:

• We recommend that employees and students use the MATLAB and Simulink network license via the RWTH Aachen University server.
• Furthermore, we recommend that you do not add or install any MATLAB add-ons when using the network license, as this involves the use of the cloud.
• As a general rule, we recommend that you disable or refrain from using all cloud storage options (such as MATLAB Drive).
• We recommend deactivating the MATLAB Copilot license. Instructions can be found in Help ITC.
• When processing and storing research data, please note the existing FDM processes and solutions at RWTH Aachen University.
• The use of private devices is at your own risk. RWTH Aachen University cannot provide any guarantee or support in the event of data loss on the device.

Data protection

In addition, we refer you to the data protection information of RWTH Aachen University on MATLAB and Simulink and to the data protection information of Mathworks (https://de.mathworks.com/company/trust-center/privacy-policy.html).

Changes to the terms of use

1. The IT Center of RWTH Aachen University reserves the right to change these Terms of Use at any time, with or without notice.
2. Users will be informed immediately of any significant changes to the Terms of Use. This information may be provided by email or by publication on the website of the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University.
3. Upon entry into force, the currently valid version of the Terms of Use will be available on the RWTH Aachen University IT Center website and will replace all previous versions. All users should regularly check for changes.

Final provisions

1. Should one or more provisions of these Terms of Use be or become invalid in whole or in part, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. The contracting parties shall endeavor to find a valid provision to replace the invalid provision that comes as close as possible to the economic meaning of the invalid provision.
2. Amendments and additions to these Terms of Use must be made in writing, unless expressly agreed otherwise. There are no verbal side agreements.
3. These Terms of Use shall come into force upon publication on the website of the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University and shall apply in their current version.
    

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