4.+Copyright+and+the+Law

= · List THREE ways of committing a crime under Australia's //Copyright Act//. =

(Commonwealth of Australia, 2005)
= · Explain why shareware is cheaper than commercial software packages. =

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Shareware is cheaper that commercial software packages because shareware programs let you 'try before you buy'. Shareware programs enable you to trial the program for a period of 30-60 days, and after this this time has expired, you must choose to purchase the software or uninstall the program. Commercial programs====== (Wikipedia, 2010), less commonly known as payware, dictate that you must purchase the program before you are allowed to use it. Generally shareware is less expensive, and it includes the ultimate money back guarantee. If the program does not match your criteria, you do not have to pay in advance (PC Shareware, Inc.).

= · Describe the technology developed by one Australian company to reduce software piracy. =

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One Australian company has developed a new software called Digital Rights Management software (DRM), and this 'built-in software' is designed to prevent people from copying software illegally. It essentially eliminates usage control from the hands of the possessor and puts it in the hands of the computer program======

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(HowStuffWorks?, 1998). Digital data can be easily copied and distributed without any reduction in quality. Consequently, content providers face serious problems in protecting their rights over this digital media. DRM software benefits software authors as their intellectual property is protected and will eliminate the possibility of unauthorised copying (EZDRM, 2000). Although their are many beneficiary uses for DRM software, many believe that it is unnecessarily protecting digital data in an unlawful way, and many companies like Creative Commons have spoken out against businesses like Sony, Apple, Microsoft and BBC - enforcers of DRM in their products. Many refer to DRM as 'Digital Restrictions Management, and others still; 'Content Restriction, Annulment and Protection' or 'CRAP' for short (Wikipedia, 2008). As you can see, there is unrest about the ethics of DRM software. DRM can be used in the following ways: (HowStuffWorks?, 1998)======

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- A [|music label] releases titles on a type of [|CD] that includes bits of information intended to confuse ripping software======

= · Why is copyright a major problem to multimedia publishers? =

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Multimedia publishers may find copyright a major problem because many people do not acknowledge copyright signs or warnings and continue with elicit activity. even though in Australia, copyright is automatic, people continue the unauthorised copying of software and multimedia and this is still a problem and cost to multimedia publishers. Copyrighted worked are supposed to be protected from illegal access to intellectual property, and when multimedia publishers' works are subjected to copyright, they expect to have full control over the content. This becomes a problem for them as their works are not thoroughly protected b copyright. Another problem for multimedia publishers is that they are not always the copyright holders of a product. There are many issues where multimedia publishers try to become the copyright holder of the products they have published, and often the copyright holders are several individuals. Publishers may end up having to negotiate with hundreds of copyright holders for single multimedia product. Multimedia publishers have many problems with acquiring the copyrights to a product and licensing rights (The Multimedia Museum, 1996).====== = = = = = · Do you think it is right to copy software without the permission of the author? Justify your answer. =

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I think it is wrong to copy software without the permission of the author as not only is this a breach of copyright, but it is unethical and does not do justice to the amount of effort put in by the author and their intellectual property. Highly capable programmers invest money and time into creating products for our use and deserve the right to control the usage of their products. Unless of course copying works are educational purposes and are below 10% of the original work, then there is room to debate this issue. But how often are people copying software for their own leisure rather than for a noble cause? Sadly, more often than not, software is copied illegally and for the wrong reasons. However this makes it difficult to take action against illegal copying as many people believe that it contradicts consumer rights etc. and there are always people who abide by the law.====== = = = = = · What are the legal issues surrounding software and the internet? In particular, look at sites from which software may be downloaded and list the types of software available on such sites. Search for the Australian Copyright Council's site and see what you can discover about the rights of software designers when their software is made available on the Internet. = There are many legal issues surrounding software and the internet such as copyright issues, DRM debates, anti piracy law suits and much more. But when speculating occurs over software being copied and distributed over the internet, it is a matter of whether some people are taking advantage of free downloads and trials, shareware and pirated software. Shareware enables people to trial software before they buy it. Some people find ways around purchasing software, like changing their identity to continue benefiting from trial programs. When people prefer to pay a cheaper price for pirated software, they may be given corrupted software or one that does not include the full features of the original program. In response to this, companies try to compensate by creating DRM software to prevent people from unauthorised copying. This in turn may become a extreme measure and may backfire as people refuse to purchase something they cannot copy for innocent purposes. Companies are sued, people are become unsettled and the fine line between protecting work and restricting proper access to material becomes uncertain.

The Australian Copyright Council states that when software is available on the internet, if software designers are the copyright holders, they are entitled to control who has access to their programs, they do not control the selling and distribution of their work and that choice is out of their hands. If they want to have a say in the distribution of their works, they still must be a copyright holder for legal reasons. Designers may negotiate with other copyright holders to become a copyright owner, and this this is called transferring or licensing their rights. Other individuals may have access to their works and use them if they have 'clearance'. Clearance is the freedom to use someone else's works. The copyright law does not protect ideas, so software designers ideas behind the concepts of their products are not protected, only the right to prevent unauthorised copying (Australian Copyright Council, 1994).

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