Social and Ethical Issues Piracy & Copyright

Piracy

Piracy Illegal copying and use of software Illegal copying and use of software Intellectual property - property resulting from the fruits of mental labour Intellectual property - property resulting from the fruits of mental labour Plagiarism - imitating another’s ideas and claiming them as your own Plagiarism - imitating another’s ideas and claiming them as your own

Classifications Commercial Commercial Shareware Shareware Freeware Freeware Public Domain Public Domain

Commercial Software Most software purchased from software publishers, computer stores and other retailers. Most software purchased from software publishers, computer stores and other retailers. The author still owns the software, you are simply purchasing the right to use the software. The author still owns the software, you are simply purchasing the right to use the software. Covered by copyright laws Covered by copyright laws Allowed to make 1 backup copy Allowed to make 1 backup copy

Shareware Also covered by copyright. Also covered by copyright. Free to copy and distribute software. Free to copy and distribute software. Once you have tested and decided to use the software you must pay for it. Once you have tested and decided to use the software you must pay for it. Try before you buy. Try before you buy.

Freeware Also covered by copyright. Also covered by copyright. Can be distributed freely as long as it is not for profit. Can be distributed freely as long as it is not for profit. Cannot be altered and resold. Cannot be altered and resold.

Public Domain Copyright holder has relinquished all rights to the software. Copyright holder has relinquished all rights to the software. Unlimited copies, modification, developing new works based on the product, decompilation all allowed. Unlimited copies, modification, developing new works based on the product, decompilation all allowed.

Copyright Laws

Australian copyright act 1968 was introduced to protect authors from the illegal copying of intellectual property. Australian copyright act 1968 was introduced to protect authors from the illegal copying of intellectual property. Purpose is to provide economic incentives for creative activity. Purpose is to provide economic incentives for creative activity. Copyright laws give the author the sole right to reproduce the work. Copyright laws give the author the sole right to reproduce the work.

Copyright - Rights of authors To reproduce the work To reproduce the work To make derivative works To make derivative works To distribute the work to the public To distribute the work to the public To perform certain works in public To perform certain works in public To display certain works in public To display certain works in public

Copyright - Amendments regarding software One copy allowed to be made for backup One copy allowed to be made for backup When ownership of a licence is transferred, all copies must be handed over or destroyed When ownership of a licence is transferred, all copies must be handed over or destroyed Copyright lasts until the authors death + 50 years Copyright lasts until the authors death + 50 years

Licences Most allow software to be used on ONE machine. Most allow software to be used on ONE machine. Network or Site licence allow software to be used on multiple machines. Network or Site licence allow software to be used on multiple machines.

National Perspectives ~ 38% of software installed globally is pirated ~ 38% of software installed globally is pirated ~ US $11 billion lost due to theft ~ US $11 billion lost due to theft

Relationship between Copyright Laws and Licences Licence used to create a binding agreement between user and developer protected by law. Licence used to create a binding agreement between user and developer protected by law. Licence agreements need to comply with copyright laws to stand up in courts. Licence agreements need to comply with copyright laws to stand up in courts.

Activity Create a licence agreement for the software your group developed for the Preliminary course. Create a licence agreement for the software your group developed for the Preliminary course. To assist, use the examples in your textbook, and search the computer for license.txt or licence.txt to find other examples. To assist, use the examples in your textbook, and search the computer for license.txt or licence.txt to find other examples.