Sample Worksheet - Intellectual Property

[PART I: "Sharp reaction to piracy" article]
  1. What is Dr. Richard Heeks reacting to?
  2. What is software piracy?
  3. What is informatics?
  4. What is "reverse functional engineering"?
  5. What is IT?
  6. What is a software virus and why are software viruses taken seriously?
  7. What is morality and why is it important in this software debate?
  8. What is counterfeit software?
  9. Do you believe in the findings of Novell and Microsoft teams that pirated software is more likely to carry viruses? Why or why not?
  10. Do you also believe that pirated software is more likely not to be Year 2000 compliant?
[PART II: "Sharp reaction to piracy" article]
  1. After reading Dr. HeeksÆ letter, do you think that he supports software piracy? Why or why not?
  2. Is copying software beyond personal use justifiable? If you think it is give plausible reasons for your position.
  3. Do you think ( as Conradie thinks) that an appeal to individual morality will reduce software piracy?
  4. Does presenting a balanced view of software piracy enough to reduce piracy? Do you think Dr. Heeks believes so?
  5. Do you believe ( as Dr. Heeks probably does) that exaggerated reporting of software piracy undermines the message against it?
  6. In your opinion who is likely to be most hurt and who benefits from software piracy?
  7. Is ConradieÆs response to Dr. Heeks appropriate and convincing enough to convert him (Heeks) or you ( if you are not a believer in software piracy)?
  8. How would you have responded to Dr. HeeksÆ letter?
  9. If you were to rewrite ConradieÆs response to Dr. Heeks what would you add?
  10. Make two lists for pros and cons of software piracy. According to your conviction which list is worth defending?
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