CIS300 Slides Chapter 6 (1)

7/31/2019 CIS300 Slides Chapter 6 (1)

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in a Changing Society, 3rd Edition

Understanding Computers

Chapter 6: Intellectual

Property Rights andEthics


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Chapter 6 Understanding Computers in a Changing Society, 3rd Edition 2

Learning Objectives

Understand the concept of intellectual property rightsand how they relate to computer use.

Explain what is meant by the term ethics.

Provide several examples of unethical behavior in theuse of intellectual property.

Explain what computer hoaxes and digital

manipulation are and how they relate to computerethics.

Understand how ethics can impact business practices

and decision making. Discuss the current status of legislation related to

intellectual property rights and ethics.


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Overview

This chapter covers: Intellectual property rights

A discussion of ethics in the context of computer

use and specifically: Use of copyrighted materials

Use of resources and information

Computer hoaxes and digital manipulation

Business practices and decision making

Culture

A look at legislation related to these issues


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Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights: Rights to whichcreators of original creative works are entitled

Copyrights: Protect original artistic orliterary works

Last until 70 years after creators

deathFor corporate copyrights

or anonymous works, last

95 years from date ofpublication or 120 yearsfrom date of creation,

whichever is shorter


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Copyright = Exclusive rights to publish, reproduce,distribute, perform, display the work

Can be claimed and use upon creation,

but can also be registeredTo use copyrighted material

Obtain permission from copyright holder

Pay any required fee

One exception is the legal concept of fair use

Permits limited duplication and use of copyrightedmaterials for specific purposes

Criticism, commentary, news reporting,teaching, research


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To protect rights, can use: Digital watermarks: Subtle alteration of digital

content that is not noticeable but that can

identify the copyright holder Digital rights management (DRM) software:

Software that control the

use of a copyrighted work(specifies what can bedone with the work,such as print, view, copy,etc.)




Trademarks : Protect identifyingwords, phrases, symbols, logos,and designs that identifies and

distinguishes one product orservice from another

Usually appears on product

packaging with theappropriate trademark symbol

Trademarked words andphrases and trademarkedlogos are common

Last ten years, but can berenewed




Includes protection for domain names(cybersquatting and typosquatting)

Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act

Punishes cybersquatting with penalties up to$100,000 for each willful domain registrationthat infringes on a trademark

Domain name disputes can be brought to: Registry service that registered the name

Arbitration and Mediation Center of the World

Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)Specialized agency of the United Nationsthat resolves international commercialdisputes about intellectual properties

between private parties




Patents : Protectinventions

Grants exclusive

rights of an inventionto its inventor for 20years

Can also protect abusiness practice orprocedure

Expensive to get butcan be very lucrative

Typically a uniqueproduct or new way

of doing something



Ethics

Ethics: Overall standards of moral conductCan vary with individual and religious beliefs,

country, race, or culture

Personal ethics: Guide an individuals personalbehavior

Business ethics: Guide workplace behavior and abusinesss policies, decisions, and actions

Computer ethics: Concern moral conduct related to

computer use Individuals and businesses need to make ethical

decisions every day



Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

Books and Web-based articles need to properly creditsources to avoid plagiarism

Cannot be reproduced, presented as original work,

used in any unauthorized mannerStrict consequences for plagiarism (presenting

someone elses work as your own)

Plagiarism is: Violation of copyright law

Unethical behavior

Colleges and universities have strict rulesagainst plagiarism

Online tests for plagiarism are available and widely

used by schools




Music: Debate began with NapsterP2P sites and downloading music has raised many

issues about the legal and ethical use of music

Downloading music without compensating the artistand record label is a copyright violation

Law enforcement agencies and recordingindustry are pursuing violators

Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools can:

Limit the legal actions a person can take withpurchased music

Impact downloaded files and purchased CDs

Fair use: Once an MP3 file or CD has beenpurchased, considered fair use to transfer songs to

a CD or digital player for personal use




Movies: Movie piracy is high (illegal copies, recordingpre-release movies to create DVDs, etc.)

Since the production of Betamax in 1984, concern

about movie piracy has increased dramaticallyEven more today, as digital content can be

reproduced without losing quality

Distributing bootleg copies of movies is illegal andunethical

Often happens via the Internet

DRM controls on downloaded movies can slowpiracy




Legal prosecution for copyright violations for bothmusic and movies is increasing

MPAA has also started pursuing civil action against

piratesFamily Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005:

Makes transmitting or recording a movie during a

performance in a U.S. theater illegalAnti-Piracy seal reminds consumers that movie

piracy is illegal

Ethi l U f R



Ethical Use of Resourcesand Information

School or company resourcesCode of conduct: : Policy that specifies allowable

use of resources by students or employees

Students and employees should be familiar withwhat is considered acceptable use of resources

Code of ethics: Policy, typically for an industry or

organization, that specifies overall moral guidelinesfor individuals in that industry or organization

Whistleblowers have some protection under the

law

Ethi l U f R




Ethical Use of Resources




Employee and customer informationBusinesses need to decide what is ethical use of

employee and customer Information

Share customer information (e-mail address, IPaddress) with foreign governments?

If legal, should a business sell customer

information?Businesses may be legally bound by:

Employee confidentiality agreements

Union contracts

Customer privacy policy

Business schools are increasing business ethics

Ethical Use of Resources




Cheating and falsifying informationCheating at high schools and

colleges is rampant

Cheating on assignments Cheating during in-class

and online exams

Plagiarizing documentsAcademic honor codes

Effective in reducing

cheating



Cheating and Falsifying Information

Rsum padding: Providing false information in anattempt to look more qualified for a job

Dishonest and unethical

Recent study showed 84% of job seekers believe thatpadding is done by a significant number of candidates

Is considered unethical by most companies

Background checks are easily available online Other places where information is commonly falsified

Advertising

Chat rooms



Computer Hoaxes

Computer hoax: Inaccurate statement or story spreadthrough the use of computers

Sometimes on Web pages, but more common in e-

mail Common subjects

Nonexistent computer viruses

Health risks from a certain consumer product Impending terrorist attacks

Chain letters

Free prize giveaways

Computer Hoaxes and


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Computer Hoaxes andDigital Manipulation

Computer hoax: An inaccurate statement or storyspread through the use of computers

Often sent via e-mail

Inaccurate info posted on a Web site or a wiki canalso be considered a computer hoax

Consider researching a possible hoax beforepassing on to others (Hoaxbusters site is a goodsource)


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Computer Hoaxes

Fig06-09

Computer Hoaxes and


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Computer Hoaxes andDigital Manipulation

Digital manipulation: Digitally altering text, images,photographs, music, and other digital content

Some beneficial ethical uses (aging photos of

runaways, retouching personal photographs, etc.Use by media is more controversial

Misuse of digital manipulation can hurt credibility

of journalists and publications Difficult to tell in the future if a historical photo

was manipulated

Can be used to misquote people or repeatcomments out of context


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Digital Manipulation

Ethical Business Practices and


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Ethical Business Practices andDecision Making

Businesses need to make ethical decisions regarding:Fraudulent reporting and other scandalous

activities

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Includesprovisions to improve the quality of financialreporting

Ethically questionable products or services Decisions regarding products or services some

individuals find objectionable

Proof of age requirements for selling liquor,tobacco, and other adult products via Internet

Online age verification is an emerging option



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Vaporware: Announced products that do not exist Sometimes not intentional

Other times designed to get customers to wait

for the upcoming product rather than buying anexisting competitive product

Workplace monitoring: Majority of businesses

monitor employees in some way U.S. businesses have the right to ensure

productivity, but some believe they have an

ethical responsibility to inform employees of anymonitoring



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Cultural considerations Ethics vary within a country as well as from

country to country

Some acts may be socially acceptable orconsidered ethical in one country, but notanother

Laws also vary from country to country Individuals and businesses need to consider

both legal and ethical issues in global

transactions Some business schools and corporations are

including diversity and cross-cultural training

C l l C id i


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Cultural Considerations

R l d L i l i


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Related Legislation

S


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Summary


Ethics

Related Legislation

Documents

CIS300 Slides Chapter 6 (1)