Intellectual Property: A Case Study Analysis of Rights and Ethics

This case study analysis examines a scenario involving intellectual property rights, copyright, and ethical conduct within a software development context. The case revolves around a programmer who developed software for the aboriginal community, and her employer taking credit for her work. The analysis highlights the importance of the ACS code of ethics, specifically honesty and the primacy of public interest. The case study underscores the need for organizations to recognize and respect employee contributions, suggesting that the programmer should be given intellectual property rights and proper recognition for her work, including being named as the recipient of any awards. The analysis also provides references to relevant literature on ethics in professional contexts.

Running Head: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 1
Intellectual Property

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Case study Analysis
Copyright and intellectual property rights are very major concern in the present business
environment. It is important to acknowledge the intellectual property and the copyright so that
proper recognition can be made for the efforts of other individuals. In the present case study,
the issue of copyright and intellectual property rights has been discussed. Courtney is a young
ambitious programmer who was working for a company supporting the aboriginal community in
Australia. While working there, she developed software with a special focus on the aboriginal
community. She developed the software so that it can be easily used by the aboriginal
community. She was also considerate not to use culturally sensitive pictures so that the feelings
of the aboriginal community are not affected. The organization identified the efforts of
programmer and awarded her. However, the company was also awarded by government, but
the credit was taken away by Courtney’s boss.
Applicability of ACS Code of Ethics
It is an essential responsibility of all the professionals to abide by a certain code of
ethics. The ACS code of conduct of honesty states that a professional should demonstrate
honest attitude in his professional life (ACS Code of Conduct, 2014). In the present case, taking
the credit for someone else’s work is not an honest attitude.
It is an ethical issue as the credit for the efforts of Courtney was taken away by her boss.
Although Courtney worked under her boss, she made efforts to develop a website individually.
The company should assure to recognize the efforts of its employees. It will motivate her to
perform better in near future. This initiative by the organization will also motivate other
employees to go out of their way to achieve the organization’s initiatives (Leathard, Goodinson-
McLaren & McLaren, 2007).

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Another code of conduct of primacy of the public interest states that the professionals
should focus on the primacy of the public interest (ACS Code of Conduct, 2014). The
organization should assure that there is no breach of interest of an individual. However, the
current decision of the organization may breach the interest of the Courtney.
However, it is also challenging for the organization to let a young employee represent it
at national level. Although the website development was work of Courtney, her manager
supported her throughout the way. Without the support, Courtney would not have been able to
develop the website in a proper manner. Therefore, it is important for the organization to support
both the employees of the organization.
In the present situation, it is recommended that the organization should acknowledge the
efforts of Courtney and provide her with the intellectual rights of the website. The organization
should also support her in filing for the intellectual property rights legally. It will safeguard her
rights in the near future. The organization will also get benefits from this initiative of Courtney.
Moreover, when the government announced that it will award the organization, the management
of the organization should assure to name Courtney as the recipient of the award. Even if the
organization is reluctant to let a young candidate represent the company, they should assure
that her name is taken at the award function (Sher, 2012).

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References
ACS Code of Conduct. (2014). ACS Code of Professional Conduct Professional Standards Board
Australian Computer Society. Retrieved 21 September 2017 from
https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/ACS%20Code-of-Professional-
Conduct_v2.1.pdf
Leathard, A., Goodinson-McLaren, S., & McLaren, S. (2007). Ethics: Contemporary Challenges
in Health and Social Care. Policy Press.
Sher, G. (2012). Ethics: Essential Readings in Moral Theory. Routledge.