Topic Area |
Copyright ownership/violation; Intellectual property |
|
Target
Audience |
Undergraduate/graduate students majoring in human resource management. However, the module could be used for other audiences by removing the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) ethics code and replacing it with another code(s) of ethics if applicable. |
|
Activity
Type |
Reading assignment, worksheet questions, discussion |
|
Time
Required |
Out of class time to read materials and answer questions: 60 minutes In class discussion: One 50 to 90 minute period |
|
Attachments |
Corporate Software Policy Worksheet and Scenario |
|
Additional
Materials |
Article: “Though Illegal, Copied Software is Now Common” by John Markoff, The New York Times, July 27, 1992, A1, D3. “Software Policy and the Law” Business Software Alliance obtained at www.bsa.org/usa/netpiracy/ “SHRM Code of Ethics” obtained at: www.shrm.org/ethics/default.asp?page=code-of-ethics.htm “It Could Have Been So Easy,” 1997; a 7 minute long video available from the SIIA. |
|
Background
needed to complete the assignment |
No specific background is necessary, but participants will need to read the materials listed above, examine the materials that can be found on the Web Sites and answer the questions on the worksheet. |
|
References |
www.bsa.org (Business Software Alliance) www.siia.net (Software Publishers Association division of the Software & Information Industry Association) |
|
Last
modified |
August 15, 2002 |
Abstract: The purpose of this module is to improve participants’ understanding of copyright as it relates to software and to help them to develop their own ethical philosophies regarding copying software. This will be accomplished through an examination of basic copyright law, reading an article on the subject, examining the web sites of organizations that deal with the issue, examining the SHRM code of ethics, answering a number of questions on the issue, and entering into a discussion of these issues with other class members.
Goals for the Activity: The overall goal for this activity is for participants to improve their understanding of copyright as it relates to software and to develop their own ethical philosophy regarding copying software.
Knowledge/skills/attitudes to be developed (behavioral objectives): At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to:
(1) State the law as it relates to copyrighted materials such as software (Knowledge).
(2) Discuss the pros and cons of an individual copying copyrighted material for business use and/or personal use (Knowledge/Skill).
(3) Develop their
own ethical philosophy regarding copying software (Attitude).
Procedure: The instructor/facilitator should:
(1) Assign the students to read the materials and to answer the questions on the accompanying worksheet before class.
(2) Students should be asked to provide their answers to questions (4) and (5) anonymously so that the instructor can tabulate them.
(3) Students should be assigned to groups of 4-5 and each group is assigned to answer one of questions 1-3. The instructor may need to have more than one group answer each question. Each group is then assigned to moderate a discussion of their conclusions with the rest of the class.
(4) The groups should then discuss questions 3-4 and to share their conclusions with the rest of the class. The instructor may want to critique their conclusions, especially if they all agree that “no copying is permitted for any purposes.” A response might be, “Really? Or is that a theoretical response that you use only at school? You know, do as I say, not as I do.” If that doesn’t elicit a response, ask all the people who are pure of heart (e.g., they have never given someone a copy of copyrighted software or used an unauthorized copy of software) to move to one side of the room. Then ask the other people, “do we really believe them?”
(5) Ask the students how the discussion has changed or solidified their personal philosophy in this area. You could also ask why it is important that they have this kind of philosophy (My view: ethical issues come up when you least expect them and frequently you have minimal time to develop your philosophy. Thinking about it in advance and formulating a philosophy can be very useful)
(6) Show the video, “It Could Have Been So Easy” to emphasize that, regardless of their philosophy, unauthorized copying of software is illegal. The video expresses the views of the SIIA, but the concept of illegality is still valid.
Assessing Outcomes: The written assignments may be collected and graded by the instructor. In addition, student activity in the groups and as discussion moderators will be included as part of the student participation grade.
Additional
Remarks: The timing of the activities
is fairly tight and the activities can easily be extended to longer periods
of time.
Author
contact information:
Norman F. Foy
Graduate Program in Human Resource Management
Southwest Annex 28A
Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522