Arab Open University2nd Semester, 2006-2007

M301

Unit 6.2Ethical and Legal Issues and the

Case Study reem.attas@arabou.org.sa

Reem AlAttas © 2

Topic Road Map

Ethical and Legal IssuesProfessional bodies

Reem AlAttas © 3

Definitions

Ethical decision-making is about choosing between behavior that is morally ‘right’ and that which is morally ‘wrong’.

Morality is about the degree of conformity to a set of principles that determine ‘rightness’.

The trouble with these two definitions is that there is no absolute definition of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

Reem AlAttas © 4

Areas that Influence the Set of Moral Principles

1. Individual or personal standards of behavior.

2. Social or cultural standards of behavior.

3. Professional codes of conduct.

Reem AlAttas © 5

Ethical Decision

A decision which may result in a living thing, including its environment, being adversely affected — emotionally, practically or morally.

Reem AlAttas © 6

Procedure for Coping with Ethical Decisions

Reem AlAttas © 7

Legal Issues

Contracts.Ownership of software.Data protection.Computer misuse.Health and safety.

Reem AlAttas © 8

Legal Contracts

Set out the parameters of an agreement, so that all parties understand their responsibilities.

Reem AlAttas © 9

Ownership of Software

A thorny legal issue, one that gives rise to many situations which are difficult to disentangle.

The principal reason for the difficulty is the intangible nature of software.

Reem AlAttas © 10

Intellectual Property Rights

The law can be used to protect ideas in two ways: through the law of patent and through copyright law. Together these are known as intellectual property rights (IPR).

Reem AlAttas © 11

Law of Patents

A lengthy, costly process and is rarely used in relation to computer software.

Reem AlAttas © 12

Copyright

Automatic and it protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.

Reem AlAttas © 13

Trademarks and service marks

The names of products and services are themselves protected as valuable property, and existing marks should not be used for other products or services in the same area of business or economic activity.

Reem AlAttas © 14

Freeware

A piece of software that is given away free to users, although the copyright remains with the originator and the original software cannot be distributed by anyone else.

Reem AlAttas © 15

Open-source software

Similar to freeware, except that it is maintained and upgraded openly by a community of expert users.

Reem AlAttas © 16

Computer Misuse

Unauthorized Access To Data Or Programs With No Intention To Act Further;

Unauthorized Access To Data Or Programs With The Intention To Commit A Crime.

Unauthorized Modification Or Destruction Of Data Or Programs.

Reem AlAttas © 17

Topic Road Map

Ethical and Legal Issues Professional bodies

Reem AlAttas © 18

Professional Bodies

The IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers).The IEEE (Institute of Electronic and

Electrical Engineers).The ACM (Association for Computing

Machinery).The BCS (British Computer Society).

Reem AlAttas © 19

Goals

Support their members in their professional practice.

For example, the membership application form for the IEEE states: The primary goal of the Computer Society is to

give its members the tools they need to stay on top of new technologies, while growing personally as well as professionally.

Reem AlAttas © 20

Key Roles

To provide support to help members fulfill their professional duties.

To set standards of behavior and training for their members in order to provide a realistic yardstick for those inside and outside the profession.

To represent the profession in debates on relevant issues.

Reem AlAttas © 21

Code of Conduct

Deals with the way in which members of the Society should behave.

Reem AlAttas © 22

Code of Practice

Deals with the way in which members should exercise their professional competence.

TMA6 – Q2

Thank You!