Copyright question: Bankrupt software companies

["Wolfgram, Linda" <LWolfgram@BENTON.K12.IA.US>]

A teacher posed this question today:

What are the copyright rules when a software company goes out of business?

We have a legal copy of a music program and were considering purchasing
more copies for a student lab.  The company, however, has declared
bankruptcy.  They are up for bids, but so far no takers, and the case is in
bankruptcy court.  The company is the copyright holder of the software.
Our teachers have checked three locations to try to find an existing copy
or copies of the software, but have found only one copy, for the wrong
platform.

What happens in a case like this?  Can we make more copies of the software
since they are otherwise unavailable?

I realize that responses will be lay opinions, but any ideas are welcome!

Linda

Linda Wolfgram
Middle/High School Media Specialist
Benton Community Schools
Van Horne, IA
lwolfgram@benton.k12.ia.us

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