Understanding Computers

in a Changing Society, 3rd Edition

Chapter 6: Intellectual Property Rights and Ethics

Learning Objectives
Understand the concept of intellectual property rights and how they relate to computer use. Explain what is meant by the term ethics. Provide several examples of unethical behavior in the use of intellectual property. Explain what computer hoaxes and digital manipulation are and how they relate to computer ethics. 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 which creators of original creative works are entitled Copyrights: Protect original artistic or literary works Last until 70 years after creators death For corporate copyrights or anonymous works, last 95 years from date of publication or 120 years from date of creation, whichever is shorter
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Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright = Exclusive rights to publish, reproduce, distribute, perform, display the work Can be claimed and use upon creation, but can also be registered To 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 copyrighted materials for specific purposes Criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, research
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Intellectual Property Rights

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 be done with the work, such as print, view, copy, etc.)

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Intellectual Property Rights

Trademarks : Protect identifying words, phrases, symbols, logos, and designs that identifies and distinguishes one product or service from another Usually appears on product packaging with the appropriate trademark symbol Trademarked words and phrases and trademarked logos are common Last ten years, but can be renewed
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Intellectual Property Rights

Includes protection for domain names (cybersquatting and typosquatting) Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act Punishes cybersquatting with penalties up to $100,000 for each willful domain registration that 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 Nations that resolves international commercial disputes about intellectual properties between private parties
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Intellectual Property Rights

Patents : Protect inventions Grants exclusive rights of an invention to its inventor for 20 years Can also protect a business practice or procedure Expensive to get but can be very lucrative Typically a unique product or new way of doing something
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Ethics
Ethics: Overall standards of moral conduct Can vary with individual and religious beliefs, country, race, or culture Personal ethics: Guide an individuals personal behavior Business ethics: Guide workplace behavior and a businesss policies, decisions, and actions Computer ethics: Concern moral conduct related to computer use Individuals and businesses need to make ethical decisions every day

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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

Books and Web-based articles need to properly credit sources to avoid plagiarism Cannot be reproduced, presented as original work, used in any unauthorized manner Strict consequences for plagiarism (presenting someone elses work as your own) Plagiarism is: Violation of copyright law Unethical behavior Colleges and universities have strict rules against plagiarism Online tests for plagiarism are available and widely used by schools
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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

Music: Debate began with Napster P2P sites and downloading music has raised many issues about the legal and ethical use of music Downloading music without compensating the artist and record label is a copyright violation Law enforcement agencies and recording industry are pursuing violators Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools can: Limit the legal actions a person can take with purchased music Impact downloaded files and purchased CDs Fair use: Once an MP3 file or CD has been purchased, considered fair use to transfer songs to a CD or digital player for personal use
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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

Movies: Movie piracy is high (illegal copies, recording pre-release movies to create DVDs, etc.) Since the production of Betamax in 1984, concern about movie piracy has increased dramatically Even more today, as digital content can be reproduced without losing quality Distributing bootleg copies of movies is illegal and unethical Often happens via the Internet DRM controls on downloaded movies can slow piracy

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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Materials

Legal prosecution for copyright violations for both music and movies is increasing MPAA has also started pursuing civil action against pirates Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005: Makes transmitting or recording a movie during a performance in a U.S. theater illegal Anti-Piracy seal reminds consumers that movie piracy is illegal

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Ethical Use of Resources and Information

School or company resources Code of conduct: : Policy that specifies allowable use of resources by students or employees Students and employees should be familiar with what is considered acceptable use of resources Code of ethics: Policy, typically for an industry or organization, that specifies overall moral guidelines for individuals in that industry or organization Whistleblowers have some protection under the law

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Ethical Use of Resources and Information

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Ethical Use of Resources and Information

Employee and customer information Businesses need to decide what is ethical use of employee and customer Information Share customer information (e-mail address, IP address) 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
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Ethical Use of Resources and Information

Cheating and falsifying information Cheating at high schools and colleges is rampant Cheating on assignments Cheating during in-class and online exams Plagiarizing documents Academic honor codes Effective in reducing cheating

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Cheating and Falsifying Information

Rsum padding: Providing false information in an attempt to look more qualified for a job Dishonest and unethical Recent study showed 84% of job seekers believe that padding 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

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Computer Hoaxes
Computer hoax: Inaccurate statement or story spread through the use of computers Sometimes on Web pages, but more common in email Common subjects Nonexistent computer viruses Health risks from a certain consumer product Impending terrorist attacks Chain letters Free prize giveaways

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Computer Hoaxes and Digital Manipulation

Computer hoax: An inaccurate statement or story spread through the use of computers Often sent via e-mail Inaccurate info posted on a Web site or a wiki can also be considered a computer hoax Consider researching a possible hoax before passing on to others (Hoaxbusters site is a good source)

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Computer Hoaxes

Fig06-09

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Computer Hoaxes and Digital 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 repeat comments out of context

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Digital Manipulation

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Ethical Business Practices and Decision Making

Businesses need to make ethical decisions regarding: Fraudulent reporting and other scandalous activities Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Includes provisions to improve the quality of financial reporting 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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Ethical Business Practices and Decision Making

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Ethical Business Practices and Decision Making

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 an existing 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 any monitoring

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Ethical Business Practices and Decision Making

Cultural considerations Ethics vary within a country as well as from country to country Some acts may be socially acceptable or considered ethical in one country, but not another 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

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Cultural Considerations

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Related Legislation

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Summary
Intellectual Property Rights Ethics Related Legislation

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