Codes of Time: The Challenge of Secure Storage of Registered Software in Brazilian ICTs

Abstract

This article analyzes the technical, legal, and institutional challenges faced by the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) in the process of preserving its software registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). The study highlights the gap between the administrative and technological limitations of this university in complying with the legal requirement of ensuring the preservation of source codes for 50 years. Consequently, this situation generates administrative and legal uncertainty regarding the guarantee of proof of its registered software, since the loss or corruption of this information over this period of time weakens its intellectual property processes. To this end, aspects related to preservation alternatives are addressed, such as digital vaults, use of blockchain, periodic migration policies, and long-term archival strategies for digital preservation, all with a view to ensuring technological sovereignty and institutional memory. With the support of the Minas Gerais State Research Support Foundation FAPEMIG, for which we express our gratitude, this case study was developed on the performance of the administrative units of this university in addressing the problem identified. As a result, the need to build a digital preservation environment was identified to guarantee access to the software registered in this institution, but also that it can be replicated in other ICTs in the country.