COMPUTER ETHICS AND LEGAL ISSUES

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What is ETHICS
Branch of philosophy concerned with determining what is right and wrong In the context of moral dilemmas Moral guidelines Standard of moral

Computer Ethics Issues

A company requires employees to wear badges that track their whereabouts while at work. Reads your brothers or sisters e-mail. A student uses schools computer to send e-mail messages to a friend. A person designing a Web page find one on the web similar to his requirements, copies it, modifies, and publishes it as his own web page.

New Sunday Time 22/01/06

Google refuses to budge WASHINGTON, Sat. - Yahoo! has admitted that it granted the US Government access to its search engine's databases this summer, as a battle develops over the right to privacy in cyberspace. Google, by contrast, promised last night to fight vigorously the George Bush administration's demand to know what millions of people have been looking up on the Internet. .

DEFINITION
Computer Ethics Code of Ethics Privacy Computer Crime Cyber Law

Intellectual Property

Computer Ethics
Deals with computing-related moral dilemmas and also defines ethical principles for computer professionals. Guidelines for the morally acceptable use of computers in our society.

Code of Ethics
specialized and specific codes of ethics. such codes exist in most professions and some organizations to guide interactions between specialists with advanced knowledge. written guidelines that helps determine whether a specific action is ethical or not

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics (cont)

Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect

Intellectual Property
reflects the idea that this subject matter is the product of the mind or the intellect, and that IP rights may be protected at law in the same way as any other form of property. refers to unique and original works such as ideas, inventions ,art, writing and company & product logos

Privacy
can be seen as an aspect of security one in which trade-offs between the interests of one group and another can become particularly clear. Refers to an individuals ability to restrict or eliminate the collection use and sale of confidential personal information

Computer Crime
Illegal action in which a perpetrator uses special knowledge of computer technology. Criminals maybe employees, outside users, hackers and crackers, and organized crime members

Cyber Law
encompasses a wide variety of political and legal issues related to the Internet and other communications technology, including intellectual property, privacy, freedom of expression, and jurisdiction.

MAJOR COMPUTER LAWS

Malaysia :
Copyright Act 1997: a. Digital Signature Act b. Computer Crime Act c. Tele-medical Act Communication & Multimedia Act 1998 Communication & Multimedia Commissioner Act 1998 Personal Protection Act 2004 Electronic Transactions Act 2004 E-Government Activities Act 2004

International ( US)
Fair Credit Reporting Act 1970 Freedom of Information Act 1970 Privacy Act 1974 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) 1986 Computer Abuse Amendment Act 1994
Source : Computing Essential 2006 Complete Edition, McGraw Hill

Different between ethics and laws

Ethics Standards of moral conduct Laws Is a set of rules

Intellectual Property Laws

The need of IP Law : gives the creators, authors and artists the right for their work (exclusive right) to deal with piracy (illegal copy) of software, movies and music. it must be pursued separately in each jurisdiction of interest

Guidelines for the morally acceptable use of computer in our society

Through a system of courts in which judges hear disputes between parties and apply a set of rules

Intellectual Property Law

Law pertaining to property that derives from the work of the mind or intellect, specifically, an idea, invention, trade secret, process, program, data, formula, patent, copyright, or trademark or application, right, or registration.

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