1.7 Ethics and Ownership

1.7.1 — Ethics and the computing professional

1.7.2 — Ownership of software and data

1.7.1 Ethics and the computing professional

Show a basic understanding of ethics
Explain how ethics may impact on the job role of the computing professional

Definition of general ethics

moral principles that govern a person's behaviour of an activity
- essentially, defining the rights and wrongs

Computer ethics

moral principles that regulate the use of computers
- places a law on procedures, values and practices in using computers and similar technologies

they can be presented online as a set of guidelines e.g: Terms of Use

In the work force

a computing professional must decide whether his/her actions are ethical
- e.g: using images that are not royalty free for a company presentation

this encompasses:
- privacy
- responsibility
- (computer) abuse
- intellectual property (copyright)

Show understanding of the eight principles listed in the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics
Demonstrate the relevance of these principles to some typical software developer workplace scenarios

Software Engineering Code of Ethics

A code regarding the behaviour of and decisions made by professional software engineers.

See more here.

https://www.computer.org/web/education/code-of-ethics

1. PUBLIC

Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.

accept full responsibility work
avoid deception in statements
consider factors that may diminish access to the benefits of software

2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER

Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.

not use software that is obtained or retained either illegally or unethically
keep private any confidential information gained

3. PRODUCT

Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.

strive for high quality and an acceptable cost
address ethical, economic, cultural, legal and environmental issues related to work projects
ensure specifications for software satisfy the users requirements
ensure adequate testing, debugging, and review of software

4. JUDGMENT

Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.

maintain professional objectivity with respect to any software they are asked to evaluate

5. MANAGEMENT

Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.

ensure that software engineers know the employer's policies for protecting passwords, files and information that is confidential
ensure that there is a fair agreement concerning ownership of any software, processes, research, writing, or other intellectual property to which a software engineer has contributed

6. PROFESSION

Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.

obey all laws governing their work
avoid claims that might be speculative, vacuous, deceptive, misleading, or doubtful

7. COLLEAGUES

Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.

credit fully the work of others and refrain from taking undue credit

8. SELF

Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.

recognise that personal violations of this Code are inconsistent with being a professional software engineer

1.7.2 Ownership of software and data

Show understanding of the concept of ownership and copyright
Describe the need for legislation to protect ownership, usage and copyright

Copyright ©

The formal recognition of ownership of a created and published work.

Limited time legal right granting the creator of an original work exclusive rights to determine whether, and under what conditions, the work may be used by others.

if an individual creates an original work, they may claim copyright for it
- if the person is working for a company, the organisation can claim the copyright

When copyright has been applied:

the owner determines how the work can be used

Copyright cannot be apply to:

an idea
a component of a published work

Ownership

The state or fact of exclusive rights and control over property, which may be an object, land/real estate or intellectual property.

Copyright legislation

The document will include:

the date of creation of the work
a defined period for when the copyright will apply
a policy to be applied if the individual holding copyright dies
an agreed method of indicating copyright
- e.g: ©

Discuss measures to restrict access to data made available through the Internet and World Wide Web

Why data is restricted on the World Wide Web

Before when there was no concrete method of patrolling content on the web, any individual could post intellectual property online. An example is the illegal distribution of music and other forms of media.

Illegal copying (piracy)

data is streamed and downloaded off the Internet onto a client's computer system.
this affects the profitability of the creators
most prevalent in P2P file sharing
- ISPs monitor to report any activity, however this monitoring may be taken as a breach in privacy

DRM

Also known as Digital Rights Management

may take the form of encryption or deliberate inclusion of damaged sectors
- unfortunately, these cannot guarantee the prevention of piracy

Show understanding of the implications of different types of software licensing: Free Software Foundation, the Open Source Initiative, shareware and commercial software

Types of software

Free software

Allows users to modify and distribute the software without cost or permission.

Freeware

Available for use without any cost. However, modification and distribution is forbidden

Shareware

Software free for use for a limited period but no source code provided

Adware

Malware (malicious software) which presents unwanted advertisements to the user

Commercial software

Produced for sale or to serve commercial purposes. May be proprietary, free or open source

Other definitions

Peer-To-Peer file sharing (Torrents)

Allows devices connected to a P2P network access files. This follows the client-server model, although servers are not necessarily required.

Proprietary

Marketed under and protected by a registered trade name.

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1.7

Ethics and Ownership