Ethical and legal issues Study Guide

Intellectual property (IP) protection is crucial for creators of computer systems and software to safeguard their original creations from unauthorised use, copying, or distribution. There are several key methods of IP protection, each serving a distinct purpose. Copyright automatically protects original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, which extends to source code and compiled software. Patents protect inventions, including novel and non-obvious processes or systems, which can apply to new software algorithms or computer architectures if they meet strict criteria. Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and slogans used to identify and distinguish goods or services in the marketplace, vital for software products and companies. Licensing is a contractual agreement that grants permission for another party to use IP under specified terms, enabling software distribution while retaining ownership.