Amy Palmer

Copyright, Design, Patent Copyright applies to any medium. This means that you must not reproduce copyright protected work in another medium without permission. This includes, publishing photographs on the internet, making a sound recording of a book, and so on. Copyright does not protect ideas for a work. However, when an idea is fixed, for example in writing, copyright automatically protects it. This means that you do not have to apply for copyright. A copyright protected work can have more than one copyright, or another intellectual property (IP) right, connected to it. For example, an album of music can have separate copyrights for individual songs, sound recordings, artwork, and so on. Whilst copyright can protect the artwork of your logo, you could also register the logo as a trade mark.

Amy Palmer In the United States, a design patent is a patent granted on the ornamental design of a functional item. Design patents are a type of industrial design right. Ornamental designs of jewelry, furniture, beverage containers and computer icons are examples of what can be covered by design patents. A similar concept, a registered design can be obtained in other countries. In Japan, South Korea and Hungary, industrial designs are registered after performing an official novelty search. In Europe, one needs to only pay an official fee and meet other the formal requirements for registration (e.g. Community design at OHIM, Germany, France, Spain). For the member states of WIPO, cover is afforded by registration at WIPO and examination by the designated member states in accordance with the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement).

Amy Palmer Data Protection Act The data protection act was introduced in the UK in It gives rights to data subjects i.e people who have data about them stored on computer systems. The act was updated in 1998 to take the increasing use of computers, and changes in European Union law into account. The act mainly consists of 8 data protection principles. The law entitles data subjects to see the personal data about them that’s held by an organisation. If an organisation breaks the law they can be fined and made to pay compensation to the data subject.

Amy Palmer Computer Misuse Act The Computer Misuse Act became law in August Under the Act hacking and the introduction of viruses are criminal offences. Universities and colleges need to co-operate to take action under the Act as the offences are likely to be committed by members of universities and colleges, students in particular, and are often perpetrated on machines or networks within the sector. For offences committed within the higher education sector institutions may wish to use the speedier process of internal disciplinary measures rather than resort to the law. The aim of this Guidance is to ensure that universities recognise the seriousness of these offences and to encourage a greater degree of common practice in dealing with the people who carry out these actions, whether action is taken under the criminal law or through the use of disciplinary procedures.

Amy Palmer Health and Safety There are various health problems associated with the regular use of computers, and because of this employers must be aware of the regulations surrounding computer health and safety. Employer regulations The law states that an employer must provide or ensure: tiltable screens anti-glare screen filters adjustable chairs foot supports suitable lighting workstations are not cramped when working working on a computer there are frequent breaks appropriate eye

Amy Palmer General working environment Don't forget that rules for all electrical appliances apply in a computer room. This means: there should be no trailing wires food and drink should not be placed near a machine electrical sockets must not be overloaded there must be adequate space around the machine heating and ventilation must be suitable lighting must be suitable with no glare or reflections benches must be strong enough to support the computers