Computers Ethics & Legal Issues

ASSIGNMENT 5

COMPUTERS ETHICS & LEGAL ISSUES


1.1 UNETHICAL CODES OF CONDUCTS

With the advancement of ICT, it is easy for anyone to retrieve your information from the Internet. You may not realize that when you fill a form on the Internet, your information may be exposed and stolen. Examples of unethical computer code of conducts include:

•modifying certain information on the Internet, affecting the accuracy of the information.
•selling information to other parties without the owner’s permission.
•using information without authorization.
•involvement in stealing software.
•invasion of privacy.

1.2 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property (IP) is a term referring to a number of distinct types of legal monopolies over creations of the mind, both artistic and commercial, and the corresponding fields of law. Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. Common types of intellectual property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights and trade secrets in some jurisdictions.
Although many of the legal principles governing intellectual property have evolved over centuries, it was not until the 19th century that the term intellectual property began to be used, and not until the late 20th century that it became commonplace in the United States.[2] The British Statute of Anne 1710 and the Statute of Monopolies 1623 are now seen as the origin of copyright and patent law respectively.[3]

1.3 PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS

Algorithm or function, but the first to file for it. In the United States, a patent excludes Patents are granted by a governing body, for example, the Patent and Trademark Office of the U.S. government or European governments. The patent is not given to the first to invent the anyone from making, using, or selling the idea covered by the patent. It guarantees legal remedies over a period of twenty years within the United States and its territories. The specific criteria for a patent vary country by country, but it is generally recognized that the invention must be novel, useful, and not obvious. One example where a patent is used rather than other legal options is that of an encryption algorithm. By acquiring a patent on an encryption algorithm, the inventor has full control over how it can be used or implemented in software. Another example is the formula for a prescription drug.

1.4 TRADEMARK FOR BRAND IDENTITY

A brand is a name used to identify and distinguish a specific product, service, or business. A legally protected brand name is called a proprietary name.

1.5 DESIGN FOR PRODUCTS APPEARANCE

The appearance attributes of designed products noted in the literature often reflect what designers themselves perceive in a product design. This present research, however, provides knowledge on how consumers perceive product appearance by identifying appearance attributes that consumers use to distinguish the appearances of durable products. Descriptions of appearance were generated by consumers in a free categorization task. The descriptions were classified as the attributes Modernity, Simplicity and Playfulness. These attributes were confirmed in a separate rating-task performed by a second group of consumers. The attributes proved stable across different groups of consumers indicating that they are universal. Additionally, the attributes were validated across different product categories and are thus generalizable and not product category specific. The appearance attributes identified in this research provide knowledge of what consumers see in durable product appearance. Knowledge of what appearance attributes are perceived by consumers in a product design can help a designer to communicate certain pre-specified meanings in a product.

1.6 COPYRIGHT FOR MATERIAL

Copyright is the set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work. Copyright lasts for a certain time period after which the work is said to enter the public domain. Copyright applies to a wide range of works that are substantive and fixed in a medium. Some jurisdictions also recognize "moral rights" of the creator of a work, such as the right to be credited for the work. Copyright is described under the umbrella term intellectual property along with patents and trademarks.
The Statute of Anne 1709, long title "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by vesting the Copies of Printed Books in the Authors or purchasers of such Copies, during the Times therein mentioned", is now seen as the origin of copyright law.
Copyright has been internationally standardized, lasting between fifty and one hundred years from the author's death, or a shorter period for anonymous or corporate authorship. Some jurisdictions have required formalities to establish copyright, but most recognize copyright in any completed work, without formal registration. Generally, copyright is enforced as a civil matter, though some jurisdictions do apply criminal sanctions.