Information Ethics

• Copyright Facts• Protected Works• Effects of Information Ethics• Ethical Mistakes• Privacy Infringement• Information Control• Digital Divide• Final Thoughts

Copyright Facts

• U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 (Effective 1978)• A © is secured automatically when a work is

created in a fixed form• A © Registration is not required • A © Symbol usage approval is not required• If Used: Example: © 2002 John Doe • Length – Single Author – Life plus 70 yrs.• Length – Dual Author – Life plus 70 for last

surviving author• Anonymous – 95 to 125 years from publication

Protected Works

• Literary works - Includes all computer programs• Musical works – Also includes all words • Dramatic works – Also includes all music • Pantomimes and Choreographic works • Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural works - Maps • Motion Pictures and Other Audiovisual works • Sound Recordings - • Architectural works - Blueprints

The Effect of Information Ethics

• Crosses all fields of study

• Effects every aspect of daily life

• Unethical use of Data usually has adverse effects for someone

• Extreme examples include ID theft / Insider Trading / Even Death

Ethical Mistakes

• Therac – 25 – Radiation Therapy

• The Challenger Disaster – O Rings

• Alan Borning Investigation

Computer System Reliability / War

Misinterpretation of incoming Meteors.

• Huge Consequences

Privacy Infringement

• Pervasive use of Cameras• Storage of Personal Data / Profiling• Someone is always watching or recording• Dilemma - Who watches the Watchers• Security Problems / Hackers• HIPPA• Carnivore / Magic Lantern / KLS• ACLU vs Denver Police – Political Activism• All started before the current Bush dilemma

Information Control

• Ethics is the foundation

• Ownership of information leads to power

• Intellectual Rights - Ownership

• Creative Commons – Mike Carroll VU

• Opt-In / Opt-Out view – Europe / USA

• Open Source - Linux

• Permission to use - MicroSoft

Digital Divide

• Educational Haves vs. Have nots

• Conventional Wisdom / $$$

• Money is not the main issue

• Some with money choose to stay disconnected

• Must Embrace Education

Final Thoughts

• Readings covered a broad range of topics• Only scratched the surface• Many volumes already written / more to come• Tragedy of the Commons / Garrett Hardin-1968 Enhancing Society @ Expense of Individuals• Common Good / Amatai Etzioni Response to 911 attack• Public sentiment is still being formed• Action is needed to safeguard individual rights