Ralph's Copyright Concerns
Copyright Concerns
Kaden Galloway
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Copyright Concerns
Summary of Facts
Ralph, a software engineer for SDX Alliance had the task of writing a computer code. In the past he had already worked on something similar as an intern at another company. Without informing anyone Ralph decided to use that same code with his current company. At first his manager was enthusiastic about the new code until it was brought to light that it was copyrighted. In Ralph’s ethical mind he did nothing wrong because he created the code. The legal aspect with this is that in the past when Ralph was working for another company it was copyrighted, so they have the rights even though Ralph created the code. Anything Ralph created while working at the previous company belongs to that company.
Consequences. Even though Ralph did not realize he did anything wrong it does not excuse him from any copyright laws. Ralph may be a good person …show more content…
With the use of moral imagination there are alternatives to prevent a situation like this occurring. Moral imagination is defined as “one element that distinguishes good people who make ethically responsible decisions from people who do not” (Hartman, DesJardins, & MacDonald, 2014, p. 55). Ralph had good intentions but did not make an ethically responsible decision. To correct the problem Ralph could use all resources necessary to connect with the previous company to ask for permission, which would be the best and quickest alternative if he was successful and granted permission. Another alternative which could cost valuable time, is that Ralph already having the basic knowledge to create the code, he can create something similar without infringing on any copyright laws. Lastly the alternative that is not the most ethical and possibly most risky is that they can go ahead with the code and hope that nobody notices since the company is out of
Kaden Galloway
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Copyright Concerns
Summary of Facts
Ralph, a software engineer for SDX Alliance had the task of writing a computer code. In the past he had already worked on something similar as an intern at another company. Without informing anyone Ralph decided to use that same code with his current company. At first his manager was enthusiastic about the new code until it was brought to light that it was copyrighted. In Ralph’s ethical mind he did nothing wrong because he created the code. The legal aspect with this is that in the past when Ralph was working for another company it was copyrighted, so they have the rights even though Ralph created the code. Anything Ralph created while working at the previous company belongs to that company.
Consequences. Even though Ralph did not realize he did anything wrong it does not excuse him from any copyright laws. Ralph may be a good person …show more content…
With the use of moral imagination there are alternatives to prevent a situation like this occurring. Moral imagination is defined as “one element that distinguishes good people who make ethically responsible decisions from people who do not” (Hartman, DesJardins, & MacDonald, 2014, p. 55). Ralph had good intentions but did not make an ethically responsible decision. To correct the problem Ralph could use all resources necessary to connect with the previous company to ask for permission, which would be the best and quickest alternative if he was successful and granted permission. Another alternative which could cost valuable time, is that Ralph already having the basic knowledge to create the code, he can create something similar without infringing on any copyright laws. Lastly the alternative that is not the most ethical and possibly most risky is that they can go ahead with the code and hope that nobody notices since the company is out of