In an era when its is increasingly encouraged to share source-codes, the training of students, particularly information technology students, faces several challenges in communicating aspects of academic honesty -- precisely authenticity of authorship. The genuineness of this issue has implications primarily in the integral formation of students…

This article provides an actual case that is designed to highlight business and legal issues that should be considered when operations expand and ownership changes. Of particular significance in this case is the focus on modernizing operations without losing the original organization's commitment to the environment and its cultural mission. The…

When Lars Ulrich, drummer for the rock group Metallica, testified before Congress about his group's lawsuit against Napster in 2000, many people who followed copyright issues in the music industry were not surprised (Ulrich, 2000). Ever since downloading audio files became as easy as clicking a few buttons on a personal computer, charges of…

University research results often lead to patentable inventions with significant possibilities for ethical conflict. University officials must be conscious of these conflicts, examine each situation carefully, and determine actions creating the greatest good for the greatest number. (Author/MSE)

Three categories of legal issues generated by computers on campus are examined: copyrights on programs developed by students, faculty, or staff; contracts in purchasing computers and torts concerning wrongful use; and the expectation that schools will respond to legal/ethical issues differently than commercial organizations. Suggestions for…

Discusses computer ethics and the use of computer networks. Topics addressed include computer hackers; software piracy; computer viruses and worms; intentional and unintentional abuse; intellectual property rights versus freedom of thought; the role of information in a democratic society; individual privacy; legislation; social attitudes; and the…

The growth of distance education and the widespread use of multimedia course materials has led to interest in packaging and selling online courses. While few such courses are available, and fewer still have been successful, debate over issues of academic freedom and intellectual property is heightening. Some faculty say the greatest concern is…

In response to the rapid growth of computer crime and such illegitimate practices as piracy and fraud, the National Institute of Justice and the Office for Educational Research and Improvement have formed a partnership to promote school programs on the ethical uses of new technologies. This report, the first of the partnership, is designed to…

The concept of intellectual property rights (defined as the creative work of some unknown dimension) is put into the perspectives in this speech of the individual involved, the educational institution, and the general public. Such concerns are ethical implications, incentives, costs, quality, change and innovation, impact on lifelong learning…

Implications of the growth of university-based contract research are examined, including moral and ethical issues, legal aspects, ownership of research results, staff rights, researcher status, publication, authority, responsibility, social justice, and conflicts between teaching and research. Eleven suggestions for successful contract research…