Task 3 Legal and Ethical Considerations, codes and

practises and regulations

Copyright:
The copyright and patent act of 1988 was introduced for two main reasons. One being
that people should be rewarded for the hard work theyve done, and to give the
creator some sort of protection if their work were ever to be stolen. Before this act was
set in place there was very little that anyone could do to stop work from being stolen.
This law covers several different types of primary multi-media but its focus is the IT
section as it contains the most piracy and copyright crimes. This applies to copyright
software, mp3 music and movies. Also, some smaller copyright would text (such as
custom fonts), images etc. Anything that someone can steal is on the list as it would not
be an ethical way of obtaining it.

More information on this can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright

In the UK, you do not have apply to have these sort of privileges as the patent act
applies itself automatically to ensure more stability in the law. This law lasts for a life
time so all the money will always go to either the creator, the creators network or the
creators relatives.

Especially with images, there is and always will be the option to use stock photos from
google images for example made freely to use by the public, sometimes strict rules do
apply to these images but if it is in the section then it is always free to use.

In software, if you buy it then you buy the license to have proof that you have officially
bought the product, meaning you dont own any right of the product but you can use it
as intended by the business. Schools or large businesses buy the site license for the
whole company which makes the product cheaper in total for all but an individual
would only buy one single license if they wanted only them to use it. The site license
has a capacity limit so at the exact time that the number limit is met then no one else
can log in to the software until someone already on it logs out allowing a different
person to go on. The site license is much more advanced as more people can use it
whereas only one can on the single license. The client must be aware of the limitations
on each license.

In my multi-media project, I must be completely certain that all these precautions are
applied to my project and that the client is kept fully informed of any choice that will be
made.

Ethical considerations
When working in any section of the project, there is always a barrier of language to
stop any offensive or ill-mannered speech onto the product. This is to protect the
companys image and maintain that people have a healthy and helpful experience using
the product. Unlike the common belief, the internet still holds the rules. It is obviously
easier to get away with things like this on the internet but is still highly frowned upon in
the eyes of the law. If someone finds a piece of information offensive in any way then
they may be able to sue the company for indecency and make the business lose a lot of
money.

There are however some rules in place to avoid this such as:

You arent allowed to use an image or video unless you have permission and have proof
of it.

You cannot make a verbal statement about any one person or community that would
be considered abusive or could harm their reputation. The term for this is Slandering.

You are not allowed to use someone elses work without permission (you must show
proof in a document.)

Representation:
You must be weary of how you present and describe the characters and the content in
the work since you must make sure than you arent biased or inaccurate about any
facts. For example, races cannot be separated due to any factor, maintaining equality
through the work.
This applies to: Sexuality
Race
Gender
Class
Religion
Age
Disability
Nationality

This says that someone cannot suggest in any way that one group is better or inferior
to the other. This makes all the factors above equal and will prevent any upset in the
business. Any person who disagrees with these rules will have to follow them as they
arent optional. The client must be aware of these facts.

Now I will look at codes of practises the client should be aware of.
Ofcom

Office of Communications also referred to as Ofcom is the authority for

broadcasting. This is government approved and provides sources for
telecommunications for the USA and UK.

Ofcom has many powers across media over frequency such as Radio, networks,
telecoms and other sectors ranging in that frequency. Ofcom have a duty to show the
common parts of the consumers interests, making promoting the product much easier.
Some of the more focussed on areas of Ofcom goes over licensing, codes, research and
complaints protecting the radio from abusive messages and hurtful implications.

The regulator was initially shown but Ofcom in 2002 in the Office of Communications
Act 2002 received all they needed from the communications act of 2003 To follow
through with their plans.
IPSO - Independent Press Standards Organisation
This company is a voluntary service provides for British magazines and newspapers
consisting of representatives of the publisher to explain what has been done and why.
The PCC is funded completely by the annual price it charges all magazines and
newspapers. Have no legal power but all papers must contribute to this company keep
the service going.

ASA - Advertising Standards Association

This company is the UKs regulator of advertisement across all media, this company
basically declares what can and cannot be shown as advertisement. The work they do
includes acting and responding to complaints about provocative messages the media
has allowed to be shown and explain why it could be shown and is proved not to be
offensive or harmful.
BIMA - British Interactive Media Association
This company service individuals and big companies to help them find solutions based in the
media. They provide helpful, creative and innovative ideas to fuel the business for a
successful future.