Unit 78 - Exercise (Legal and Ethical Considerations)

Unit 78 Digital Graphics for Computer Games

Legal & Ethical Considerations

“The UK copyright law fact sheet outlines the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the principal legislation covering intellectual property rights in the United Kingdom and the work to which it applies.”
http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law

The types of work that can be protected by copyright are:

·         Literary – Song lyrics, Computer programs, leaflets, newsletters and articles.

·         Dramatic – Plays, Dance, etc.

·         Musical – Recordings and score

·         Artistic – Photos, paintings, sculptures, etc..

·         Typographical arrangement of published editions – Magazines, periodicals, etc.

·         Sound recordings – May be recording of other copyright works, e.g. musical and literary

·         Film – video footage, films and broadcasts.

What is Libel?

Libel is another word for slander, defamation and giving someone a bad name whether it’s an individual person, business, product, group, government, religion or nation.

4 essential elements to defamation/Libel

·         The accusation is false

·         It impeaches the subjects character

·         Published to a third person

·         Causes damage to the persons reputation

How are female characters represented in video games?

The way females are represented in video games can be classed at sexist, as in a lot of video games where you can play as female characters they may be slightly revealed, but you can argue whether games are sexist to females because in some games females are not represented as feminine, such as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, she is shown as both physically and mentally strong.