MODULE 7 LEGAL, ETHICAL AND SOCIETAL ISSUES IN

MEDIA AND INFORMATION

At the end of this module, the students will be able to:
Put into practice the understanding of intellectual
property, copyright, and fair use of guidelines.
Demonstrate proper conduct and behavior online
(netiquette)
Put into action your personal resolve to combat
digital divide, internet addiction, cyberbullying
Explain copyright and fair use, human rights
Discuss current issues related to copyright and
actions taken by the government and private sectors
Explain actions to promote ethical use of media and
information
Enumerate opportunities and challenges in media
and information
Intellectual Property in International and Local Context
Intellectual Property (IP)
As defined by the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), is the creation of mind, such
as inventions, literary, and artistic works, designs
and symbols, names, and images used in commerce

Copyright

Patent

Description

Coverage

Legal term used to

describe the rights
that creators have
over their literary and
artistic works

Literary works
such novels,
poems, plays,
reference works,
newspaper
articles,
Computer
programs,
databases
Films, musical
compositions, and
choreographies
Artistic works
such as paintings,
drawings,
photographs, and
sculptures
Architecture
Advertisements,
maps and
technical
drawings

Provides the patent

owner with the right
to decide how or
whether, the
invention can be used
by others in exchange
for the right.
The patent owner
makes technical
information about the
invention publicly
available in the
published patent
document

Industrial
Design

Geographical
Indication
and
Appellation
of Origin

Types of Intellectual Property

Terms

Trademark

Exclusive rights
granted for an
invention

A sign capable of
distinguishing goods
or services of one
enterprise from those
of other enterprises
Dates back to ancient
times when
craftsmen used to put
their signature or
mark on their
products
Constitutes the
ornamental or
aesthetic aspect of an
article/object
Sign used on goods
that have a specific
geographical origin
and possess qualities,
a reputation or
characteristics that
are essentially
attributable to that
place of origin

Products sold and

services offered
by a business
entity

Design of an
object (shape or
surface, patterns,
lines, or colors)

The name of the

place of origin of
the goods /
products

What is Copyright?
Mainly the protection of ones expressions which
only becomes tangible and concrete when objects
are created as manifestation of these expressions.
It does not cover ideas, procedures, methods of
operation or mathematical concepts because no
one person or institution can claim sole ownership of
these. Sufficient authorship must exist for these to
be covered by copyright.
Titles, slogans or logos may or may not have
copyright
Two types of rights under copyright law
o Economic Right
o Moral Right
Expiration of a copyright term empowers the general
public to have unlimited access and use of the work
as it has become part of the public domain
The Use of Fair Use

Fair Use or Fair Dealing

Certain limitations or exceptions to copyright
Limits the rights of the holders who are entitled to
reproduce works for a limited time period.
Make be invoked when you wish to copy a portion or
an entire work even if the copyright owner fails to
give his or her permission
Rationale: guarantee a breathing space for new
expression within the confines of Copyright Law
Works covered by fair use:
o A criticism or a commentary
o A parody
o A news report
o An artistic expression or artifact
o Scholarly and research works
o A product of time-shifting device such as TV
program recorder, or
o An information found through Web search
engines;
The above mentioned works becomes available for
unlimited use by the public provided that:
o Its use is based on a factual and historical
news event;
o It is only a small portion of the work and the
purpose is a commentary;

o
o
o

Its use is transformative;

It is used solely for the purpose of scholarly
analysis; and
It is not fringing and does not hurt the
market value of the copyrighted material
Responsible Netizenship

Netiquette
Refers to observing proper etiquette as you engage
in activities over the Internet.
Those who adhere to the rules of netiquette have
high respect for the views and opinions of other
members and have high regards for courtesy
Core Rules of Netiquette (by Virginia Shea)
The virtual world does not dismiss the fact that you
are talking to another human being who is entitled
to his or her feelings
Behavior does not necessarily have to change when
you are online. The same set of expectations when it
comes to attitude and behavior still apply. Give
other people their due.
Online users are using the same space and are also
utilizing bandwidth. You can show some respect by
refraining maligning this space and bandwidth
In the online world, impression is everything since
people can make any identity. It is important to
create good impression and maintain a respectable
stature.
Share only knowledge that matters. Do not share
knowledge that may not be productive or that may
jeopardize others.
Do not provoke or attach others. This way, you help
avoid flame wars
Privacy is a natural human right. Utmost respect of
this right should always be observed.
Great power comes with great responsibility. Yield
your power over the Internet wisely.
Nobody is perfect. Learn to admit your mistakes and
forgive errant netizens.
Alternatively, others suggest the following rules:
Avoid attacking the personhood of another online
user
Do not post multiple version of the same message.
Spamming is disrespectful of others space and
bandwidth.
Observe clear language when expressing your
thoughts to avoid misinterpretation that may lead to
misunderstanding
Think before you click
Do not veer away from the topic especially in forums
that talk about certain topics.
Use common sense
If it is not your own idea, cite the source. Respect
intellectual property
Follow rules and policies as imposed by moderators
in forums or discussion boards.
Cyberbullying
One of the worst kind of flaming activities
A type of offensive action toward another which
takes place using electronic technology
It is a phenomenon that triggers traumatic
experiences and can be worse that physical bullying
Instances of cyberbullying includes:
o Anonymously posting hateful and mean
messages and images

o
o
o

Excluding people from online conversations

in bad faith
Invading their privacy
Mocking them through offensive Web sites

Internet Addiction
Otherwise known as computer addiction, online
addiction, or internet addiction disorder (IAD) is an
impulse-control problem.
It can take the form of any of the following:
o Cybersex Addiction
o Cyber-relationship addiction
o Net Compulsions
o Information Overload
o Computer Addiction
You know when you are addicted to the use of the
Internet when:
o your daily routines are disrupted
o particular moments of your life allotted for
other chores and activities are spent for
internet use
o constantly checking your online friends
rather than with your real friends
o exaggerated preoccupation with your
gadgets
Internet addiction is triggered by:
o stress
o anxiety
o depression
o some other forms of addiction
o lack of social support
o inactivity and
o unhappiness
Signs of internet addiction:
o Being less conscious of the time spent
online or with gadgets that enable Internet
access
o Failing to complete tasks or activities
intended to be finished at the time you
were using the Internet
o Having less time with friends and family
o Lack of remorse for your excessive internet
use
o Feeling more excited with internet activities
rather than physical activities
Digital Divide
The Digital Divide, or the digital split, is a social issue
referring to the differing amount of information
between those who have access to the Internet
(especially broadband access) and those who do not
have access.