1. LEGAL ETHICAL AND SOCIETAL ISSUES IN MEDIA INFORMATION

2. LEGAL ETHICAL Societal Law Proper ways Society

3. With the growing online community in this new information age, people must know and understand their rights and responsibilities as media and information providers and consumers in order to become digital citizens. Significantly encompassing these rights and responsibilities are the issues of Intellectual Property, Fair Use, Netiquette, Internet Addiction, and Cyberbullying. LEGAL ETHICAL AND SOCIETAL ISSUES IN MEDIA INFORMATION

4. A. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information, and cooperation, defined Intellectual Property (IP) as referring to the “creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names, and images used in commerce” (World Intellectual Property Organization, 2016).

5. Under the Intellectual Property

6. COPYRIGHTS It is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. This covers works ranging from books, music, paintings, sculpture and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps and technical drawings (WIPO, 2016). Registration of copyrighted work or displaying of the copyright symbol may not be mandatory but it is recommended to emphasize that the author is claiming copyright protection in the work. Nevertheless, the copyright law still protects the creator’s work from the moment of creation and the owners do not lose this protection.

7. PATENT It is an exclusive right granted for an invention. It provides the patent owner with the right to consent on the invention or a way for others to use it. In return, the patent owner is responsible for making technical information about the invention available in the published patent document or in public (WIPO, 2016).

8. Trademark It is a distinguished sign of goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. It can be compared to what craftsmen used in ancient times as “signature mark” on their product (WIPO, 2016). TM denotes that the owner of the mark is in the process of registration to indicate a claim of ownership, while ® is only used for marks that have been granted registration.

10. FAIR USE ◔ Fair use is a legal principle stating that one can use a copyrighted work without a license for the following purposes: commentary, criticism, reporting, research, and teaching. Furthermore, the copyrighted material must observe conditions such as (1) amount and substantiality of the portion taken; (2) purpose and character of one’s use; (3) nature of the copyrighted work; and (4) potential market effect (Stim, 2016). In general, one must own the majority of the new content, give full credit to the original source, and use the content for non- profit purposes to consider it fair use.

11. NETIQUETTE One of the pressing problems in the digital age is the lack of basic manners in using the Internet. Seemingly overwhelmed with the liberty one enjoys in digital media, online users tend to forget that they are still interacting with real people, although in the virtual world or cyberspace. To help minimize mistakes, untoward encounters, and unkind experiences online, understanding and applying the rules in Netiquette is necessary.

13. CYBERBULLYING With the growing industry of digital media, many media users have become vulnerable to improper use of the Internet. Computer addiction and cyberbullying are not only local problems but they are globally prevalent. These issues may come as a result of an intention, or a habit that has gone worse. If not addressed, these issues could distress one’s health and relationships.

14. COMPUTER ADDICTION The excessive use of Computers to the extent that it Interferes with daily life. This excessive use may for example interfere with work or sleep, result in problem with social interaction or affect mood, Relationships and thought processes.

15. Digital Divide Refers to gap Between Demographics and Regions that have access to Modern Communication and Information Technology.