Ethics of Copyright Infringement Thomas H. Mak CS 301

The Ethics of the Copyright Copyright laws protect the intellectual property from the unauthorized users. Copyright laws prevents others from stealing the original work from the original author and using as their own. Anyone who created their own work are entitled to own their own copyright. People who distribute copyright materials is like stealing it and claiming it to be theirs without giving credit to the original author.

Definition of the Copyright “Copyright is the set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work.” – Wikipedia Copyright basically protects original creation or work by an author or creator. These creators and authors should get credit for their original work such as earning money and recognition.

What is Copyright Infringement “Copyright infringement (or copyright violation) is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works covered by copyright law, in a way that violates one of the copyright owner's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.” –Wikipedia Copyright infringement is like stealing other people’s work without getting permission from the original author.

Examples of Copyright Infringement Anyone uploading copyrighted material into the file sharing, music sharing, and video sharing website. Anyone using file sharing program or website to distribute copyrighted material. Anyone who records movies and sell it as pirated CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, etc. Anyone who downloads copyright material from the unauthorized site.

Consequences of Copyright Infringement Original creator or original author will not get credit for their creation or work. Original creator or original author will lose money as a result of piracy. Original creator or original author will lose control of their work and have their original creation or work vulnerable to piracy. Original creator or original author will lose protection of their intellectual property.