Software Ethics - Essay Example

Software ethics is about the ethical compliance of the computer and software usage. It is all about being honorable and following software ethics that are established through a set of moral rules/principles. Without a doubt, copying software illegally is against the law as well as a violation of software ethics. The software copyright rules defend software authors and developers, similarly as investors are protected by the patent law (National Academy of Engineering; Shelly, Cashman, and Vermaat).

In addition, software piracy is about the illegal copying of a software application. It is recognized as an unethical activity that negatively affects all the users by driving up costs as well as minimizing funds for the development and research of future software developments. Furthermore, it is a negative practice that is currently catching the attention of software industry trade associations (National Academy of Engineering).

The use of an unlicensed copy of a software application is totally illegal and unethical. In fact, it can increase the number of thefts thus this kind of activity should be neither tolerated nor practiced at TI. Consequently, how would we manage any other circumstances concerning potential misuses of technology-based assets? Can we ignore the illegal borrowing or change of $200 for an application or other piece of the system that is associated either with roommates or to fellows? Of course not (National Academy of Engineering; Shelly, Cashman, and Vermaat).

On the other hand, at the present, the majority of students believe that they are supporting and helping one another by sharing licensed software with other students. They believe that software costs are prohibitively high, and consider that, as students, they should not bear such extensive software costs. In this scenario, there are numerous solutions for the effective management of these issues. One of the primary solutions to such issues is the online websites where they can purchase such software at low cost by providing details of their institution and student enrollment. Another very good solution is that institutions can as well establish their membership with the student welfare programs where they can take or borrow a wide variety of software applications. For example in this scenario, Microsoft’s Software Developers Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) program, facilitates colleges, universities, and all kinds of institutions to join a suitable annual membership and offer software applications for their students to borrow and work (Kuruvilla; National Academy of Engineering).