COMPUTER ETHICS

SAQ2-1

What relevance, if any, does the study of the concept of law, in general, have in computing and your study of computer ethics?
The relevance of studying the concept of law, in general, in computing and the study of computer ethics are the following:
a. It provides guidance and direction in dealing with computing situation or in relation to computer ethics;
b. It provides the foundation, basis and/or framework for justifying the formulation of computer laws and ethics in computing;
c. It regulates individual freedom and rights to establish order and promote the common good in computing environment;
List down two laws governing computer use and explain what types of non-jural law seem to underpin these two laws.

a. Law on Intellectual Property Rights - Software Piracy. This is the act of using software without paying the appropriate license. The non-jural law that seem to underpin this law is the Divine Law. Doing this particular act is the same as stealing from the software developer. Divine Law encompasses the dogmas of religious faith and
stealing is considered a sin.
b. Law Against Computer Abuse - Hacking or Cracking which refers to unauthorized access into or interference in a computer system/server or information and communication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the computer or information and communications system, including the introduction of computer
viruses and the like, resulting in corruption, destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages or electronic document. The non-jural law that seem to underpin this law is the Natural Law. Computer abuse is a human action that violates righteousness, justice, equity and fairness. Individuals must observe and adhere to proper discipline to achieve or realize the common good.
Melinda bought licensed computer software from Cyberzone. Because of the high price she paid for the purchase of the software, Melinda thought of reproducing copies of it to be sold to friends and acquaintances. Melinda knew she would be violating the law. Nevertheless, she executed her plan and sold pirated software. Comment on this situation with each of the four types of law in mind. That is, to what extent does each of the four types of law apply in this case?
a. DIVINE LAW. From the start, Melinda knew that she would be violating the law if she reproduces copies of the licensed computer software to her friends and acquaintances. The mere intent or thought of violating it would be tantamount to transgressing it. Her evil thought was translated into action which means that she committed a sin.
The canons of Divine Law are usually embodied in religious doctrines and writings of different sects and religious denominations. Melinda should follow the religious doctrines of not to steal, respect the rights of others and not to do unto others what she do not like others to do unto her.

b. NATURAL LAW. Even though Melinda bought a licensed computer software from Cyberzone, the reproduction of copies to be sold to her friends and acquaintances violates one of the law on computing. The laws on computing are very well considered as being derived from natural law. Her reproduction of copies violates righteousness, justice, equity and fairness to the real owner of the licensed computer software. This explanation is based on the principle of Plato regarding natural law as a discipline that every human being must observe and adhere to so that the individual and the common good may be realized or attained.

c. MORAL LAW. The right behavior or conduct is for Melinda to not reproduce copies of the licensed computer software she bought to be sold to her friends and acquaintances. This is in compliant with one of the moral norms governing human actions in computing, i.e. Respect for the rights of owners of intellectual property.

d. PHYSICAL LAW. The main characteristic of physical law is regularity and imperativeness. It has an ordering sequence and uniformity of distinct things and occurrences that are relied upon as being constant and regular. Melinda was right in buying the licensed computer software from Cyberzone. The next step is to use the licensed computer software for her own personal use and not to reproduce copies to be sold to her friends and acquaintances. Her act of reproducing copies violates the Physical Law. Without constancy, regularity, uniformity and
imperativeness, an occurrence or corporal phenomena cannot be regarded as physical law or a law of nature. In this case constancy, regularity, uniformity and imperativeness are present that served as basis for Melinda to violate the Physical Law.

i. Lack of Constancy. Melinda already complied with buying the licensed computer software but did not complied with not reproducing copies of it. She was not constant throughout in dealing with the situation, i.e. respecting the rights of others.

ii. Lack of Regularity. Melinda is an unreliable person because she has varying intentions and irregular in dealing with the situation.

iii. Lack of Uniformity. Melinda is not consistent in her behavior or conduct of respecting the rights of others.

iv. Lack of Imperativeness. It is imperative the once Melinda bought a licensed computer software, she should use it for her personal use only and will not reproduce copies to be sold to here friends and acquaintances.