| |
Security
Attacks/Copyright Violations
Also known as "cracking" (or "hacking"
to some) these security attacks involve either attempting to represent
oneself as someone that you are not to a computer system or attempting
to gain additional abilities for which you are not personally
authorized. They can also involve misrepresenting your identity
as part of electronic communication.
Security attacks may also include downloading
files from an Internet site which are not explicitly
defined as belonging to you, available for public download, and
for which you do not have permission from the site operator to
download.
Copyright violations
involve the theft of intellectual property owned by someone else,
such as software you didn't pay for that's not freeware or covered
by a shareware license. Theft of intellectual property in terms
of computers generally involves the copying of software
without paying the appropriate license fees. That is, you have
a reproduced copy (hence, copyright) of file(s)
"owned" by an author, in your possession, without
their permission ("license") to have such a copy. It
may also mean that you have a licensed copy in your possession
that are you reproducing for others, who, in turn, do not have
the author's permission to use the file.
Possession, in computer
terms, would normally refer to having control over the equipment
upon which the file is physically stored as well
as a reasonable belief that you have a knowledge of its presence.
This would include such circumstances as having a copyrighted
work on your home computer without the author's permission. In
a shared equipment situation it would refer to the control of
part of the equipment (such as the "disk directory")
that the file is physically stored on. For instance, you "possess"
the directories on Vaxxine's servers that are assigned to you
for your home directory, local scripts, etc. It may help to think
of a file as a book. If you have a photocopy of the book in your
hand or in your house then you're obviously in possession in it.
If the author didn't say you could have a photocopy of it then
you shouldn't have it. Note that Canadian law specifically makes
exceptions for libraries, compilations, etc., in regard to certain
reproductions.
These actions are illegal
and, where applicable, may be turned over to the legal authorities
for prosecution. Actions can result in as much as ten
(10) years in prison. Copyright actions may also result
in a fine up to one million dollars. There may
also be civil damages involved. The copyright holders have to
right to pursue the person that performed the act directly.
The person performing the act is directly
responsible for the violation. This may be excepted in the case
of parents of guardians, who should be aware that they may be
held responsible for the actions of minors.
References
|
|
