DAT21502 Information Technology Professional Ethics - Intellectual Property and Related Topics

Flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on Intellectual Property, including definitions and distinctions among patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications; software licensing and privacy; plagiarism and piracy; and Malaysia's IP system (MyIPO) and related topics.

What is Intellectual Property (IP)?

Creations of the mind such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce; protected by patents, copyright and trademarks.

Why is IP protection important?

It enables people to earn recognition or financial benefit from their inventions or creations and helps protect assets that give a competitive advantage.

What is a patent?

An exclusive right granted for an invention; the owner can decide how others may use it; in exchange, technical information about the invention is made publicly available in the patent document.

What is Copyright?

A legal term describing the rights of creators over their literary and artistic works (books, music, films, software, databases, etc.).

What is a trademark?

A sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of others; can be a word, symbol, or design and is protected while used in commerce.

What is an industrial design?

The ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article, including three‑dimensional shapes or two‑dimensional patterns, colors, or lines.

What is a Geographical Indication (GI)?

Signs used on goods with a specific geographical origin that possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics attributable to that place.

Give examples of Geographical Indications in Malaysia (from 2003-2012).

Sarawak Pepper; Sabah Tea; Tenom Coffee; Bario Rice; Langkawi Cheese; and others such as Sabah Seaweed, Pisco, Scotch Whisky, etc.

What rights does copyright ownership confer?

Rights to reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, and create derivative works.

What is the typical term for a patent?

20 years from filing.

What is a trade secret?

A formula, practice, process, design or information with economic value kept secret; protected as long as the secret remains.

What does 'All Rights Reserved' mean?

A copyright notice indicating the owner retains all rights; not legally required and does not grant extra rights beyond copyright law.

What is Public Domain in software terms?

Software with no owner and not protected by copyright; can be copied, modified, or distributed freely.

What is Freeware vs Open-Source Software?

Freeware is copyrighted software that is free to use but still controlled by the owner; open-source software is free to use, read, modify, and distribute under licenses.

What is Shareware?

Software that is provided for free on a trial basis; payment may be required for continued use or for additional features.

What are the four main types of software licenses discussed?

Public Domain; Freeware; Shareware; All Rights Reserved.

What is the difference between Public Domain and Open-Source software?

Public Domain has no copyright; open-source software is copyrighted but licensed to allow use, modification, and redistribution.

What is a software license (in brief)?

An agreement that grants a user access to software and its functions and outlines use, distribution, and other restrictions.

What are the four factors of Fair Use?

Purpose/character of the use; nature of the copyrighted work; amount/substantiality used; effect of the use on the market value.

What is plagiarism?

The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and presenting them as one’s own; forms include copying without quotation marks, or paraphrasing with insufficient attribution.

What are common forms of plagiarism (as taught in the notes)?

Duplicating words without quotation marks; duplicating with citations but no quotation marks; paraphrasing without proper references; rearranging exact words without proper quoting.

What is PDPA and its purpose?

Personal Data Protection Act 2010; protects personal data from misuse, requires consent, and governs collection, use, and disclosure.

What are the primary privacy concerns in data handling?

Accuracy, data ownership (property), and access control over who can obtain what information.

What organization administers IP in Malaysia?

MyIPO (Jabatan Teknologi Maklumat) – Malaysia’s IP Office.

What does Geographical Indication protection emphasize?

Origin and qualities attributable to a place, often including the name of the place of origin.

In the Fareeda tudung case, which IP protections apply to brand name and design?

Brand name (Fareeda) is protected as a trademark; the design may be protected as an industrial design; patent protection would only apply if it solved a technical problem.

What is the role of MyIPO’s objectives?

Establish strong IP administration, strengthen IP laws, promote public awareness, provide advisory services, and offer user-friendly IP information.

What is SQLite’s license status as mentioned in the notes?

SQLite is described as public domain software, open-source but with a public-domain dedication for its deliverable code.