Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
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Unbundling packages.
When you purchase a computer or note-
book, it frequently comes as an original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) bundle. For example, the operating system comes pre-
loaded on the computer and is licensed to that particular computer.
If the bundle comes with a backup copy of the operating system on
DVD and the owner sells that copy to someone else, this breaks the
terms of the license and is a form of piracy.
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Internet piracy.
There are many Internet sites where copyrighted
software can be illegally downloaded free or at low cost. These
sites even give users guidance on where to obtain the license key
information necessary to use the program, or produce fake keys
themselves. This is Internet piracy. With so many sites and so much
software available, Internet piracy is virtually unstoppable. Much
of the illegal software is published in countries where the necessary
laws are not strongly enforced. Sites that offer these illegal activities
sometimes contain malware that can infect your computer when
you download from them.
Next time you accept an offer of some software from a friend, ask yourself these questions:
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Has it come from a genuine source?
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Is it okay to share this software with others?
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Is it licensed for more than one computer?
You could quite easily break the law by accepting the software and using it. Remember, though, that
ignorance is not a legal defense.
CAUTION
Quick Review
1 What is the difference between intellectual property and copyright?
2 When you have purchased proprietary software, who owns the software?
3 What is the advantage of using open-source software?
Ethical Issues in.Computing
With computing comes several ethical issues—particularly with regard to
the Internet. These range from plagiarism to censorship, libel, slander,
and beyond.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
is the practice of copying someone else's work and pre-
tending that it is your own. Thanks to the Internet, it is all too easy to
download a document from an obscure website and submit or republish
it as yours.
plagiarism
The act of copying someone else's
work and pretending that it is your own.
