On this page, you will find the Terms of Use for MATLAB and Simulink by MathWorks for employees and students.

• Preamble
• Requirements for use
• User obligations
• Recommendations for use
• Data protection
• Changes to the Terms of Use

Preamble

RWTH Aachen University provides its employees and students with MATLAB and Simulink software by MathWorks as both network licenses and individual licenses. In addition, MathWorks offers services that are provided in the cloud.

The use of user-based individual licenses is possible within a defined framework. The services offered by MATLAB in the cloud as well as the individual licenses are provided on cloud servers owned by third-party providers, including AWS. RWTH Aachen University does not have physical access to the hardware. Network licenses are available via the RWTH Aachen University license server and are not cloud-based software.

By using MATLAB, you agree to the following Terms of Use:
 

Requirements for use

MATLAB and Simulink software is generally available to all employees and students of RWTH Aachen University. RWTH Aachen University is responsible for implementing authentication and managing the licenses. To technically enable authentication and the management of the services and individual licenses, the user's status, RWTH email address (ending in @rwth-aachen.de), and eduPerson Targeted ID are transmitted. This is done via Shibboleth Single Sign-On (SSO).
 

User obligations

The following obligations apply when using the software:

• MathWorks software and services must be used in accordance with the current version of the Privacy Policy
• MATLAB and Simulink are 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, all applicable laws and regulations must be observed (including licensing law, data protection law, personnel records law, tax law, copyright law, telemedia law, statutory retention periods, archival law, US export control law, etc.).
• Users are only authorized to use the software and services during the licensed period and while they have the appropriate status (employee or student). All software must be deleted and services must no longer be used if RWTH Aachen University terminates the campus agreement, does not submit an accession or renewal order before the end of the licensed period, or does not acquire perpetual licenses, whichever occurs first.
• Before employees or students leave RWTH Aachen University, they are responsible for deleting all data, including their MATLAB and Simulink account.
• No personal data may be processed in MATLAB. The tool is intended solely for solving mathematical problems and for graphical representation.
• Confidential or strictly confidential data must not be stored in the cloud due to the high level of protection required. Further information on data classification can be found on the intranet on the page Datenklassifizierung (only available in german).
• Sharing documents in MATLAB Drive or collaborating with external parties:
  • Use between universities is permitted where corresponding agreements or projects are in place.
  • Joint use with external companies or research institutions is only permitted where agreements (e.g., cooperation agreements) are in place that regulate the exchange of data. For legal questions, please contact Division 9.
     

Recommendations for use

• We recommend that employees and students use the MATLAB and Simulink network license via the RWTH Aachen University server.
• In addition, when using the network license, we recommend that you do not add or install MATLAB Add-Ons, as this involves the use of cloud services.
• We recommend disabling or not using any cloud storage options (such as MATLAB Drive) as well as AI features (such as MATLAB Copilot). Instructions can be found on the page Disabling the MATLAB Copilot License.
• The IT Center does not create a central backup of data stored in the cloud (such as MATLAB Drive). However, users can synchronize specific documents to their end devices. MATLAB Drive is not intended for permanent storage or archiving.
• When processing and storing research data, please observe the existing research data management (RDM) processes and solutions at RWTH Aachen University.
• The use of personal devices is at your own risk. RWTH Aachen University assumes no liability for data loss on personal devices and does not provide support for them.
   

Data Protection

In addition, please refer to RWTH Aachen University's data protection information for MATLAB and Simulink as well as the MathWorks Privacy Policy.
 

Changes to the Terms of Use

The IT Center of RWTH Aachen University reserves the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time, with or without prior notice. 
Users will be promptly informed of any material changes to the Terms of Use. This information may be provided by email or published on the website of the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University. 
Upon taking effect, the current version of the Terms of Use will be available on the website of the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University and will supersede all previous versions. All users should regularly check for changes.