Chapter 28: Computing & The Legal Impact Of Technology Flashcards
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
A unique creative product of a human mind that has a commercial value.
What does copyright protect?
Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.
What does a patent protect?
A patent protects the idea or design of an invention, rather than just a particular form of it.
What is the definition of patent?
An exclusive right granted to an inventor to make, use, and sell an invention for a fixed period of time.
What does the © symbol indicate?
It indicates that a piece of software or another artefact is protected by copyright.
What does a software licence specify?
How software can be used, including number of copies, duration, and user type.
What is an open-source licence?
A licence that allows others to use, modify, and distribute software for free with specified conditions.
Open-source software
Software that is free to edit & redistribute.
What are the advantages of open-source software?
It is free to use, can be modified, and can demonstrate programming concepts.
What are the disadvantages of open-source software?
It may not be user-friendly, might lack support, and could have security vulnerabilities.
What is proprietary software?
Software that belongs to an individual company & whose source code is protected and cannot be modified by users.
What are the benefits of proprietary software?
It is extensively tested, has quick bug fixes, and offers user support.
What is the main drawback of proprietary software?
Users cannot modify it to better suit their needs.
What do Computer Misuse Acts prohibit?
Make it illegal to access computer systems without permission.
How does illegal software downloading affect programmers?
Programmers lose out financially when their software is downloaded illegally.
What law makes it illegal to copy, modify, or distribute intellectual property without permission?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.
