Information Technology Ethics DET- MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theInformation Technology Ethics for DET. Answer: Doing Ethics Technique (DET) Case Study Whats going on? The case study is based on the two giants in the field of Smartphones that includes Apple and Samsung. The issue that is present in the case study is around the violation of privacy and Intellectual Property that is associated with the two organizations. Apple had reported that Samsung copied some of its patented features that led to the downfall of Apple devices in the market. One the other hand, Samsung also levied the similar charges on Apple. The case has been going on since a long time and it was in the year 2016 that a decision was announced by the Honorable Supreme Court. Court suggested and declared that Samsung did not copy all but some of the features and there was a penalty that was asked to be paid for all the losses (Balakrishnan, 2016). What are the facts? There are many organizations that are working towards the manufacturing and production of Smartphones. Apple and Samsung are two such organizations. Apple has patented some features such as unlocking of the mobile phone by sliding the screen, auto correction feature along with incorporation of quick links and universal search. These features were included in the phones that were launched by Samsung in the market which led to the violation of the Intellectual Property. Also, Samsung also has some of the features that have been developed by it and are unique to it such as organization of folders and camera (Bergold Thomas, 2012). What are the Issues? Maintenance of ethics in the organizations is a necessity and violation of the ethical rules and policies may lead to a lot of damage for all the associated entities. In this case study, the primary issue is with the ethics that were not adhered and followed by any of the two companies. Copying of the features of each other is not a healthy practice and does not stand anywhere in the ethical principles (Heeney, 2016). Apple had reported that Samsung copied some of its patented features that led to the downfall of Apple devices in the market. One the other hand, Samsung also levied the similar charges on Apple. It gave rise to the legal battle between the two organizations that only led to the losses for both and also impacted the market performance and the customer base that was involved (Glover, 2009). Who is affected? The violation of ethics and Intellectual Property by Samsung had an impact on Apple as it had to suffer from losses and deteriorated value in the market along with distribution of its customer base Samsung was impacted by the violation of ethics and Intellectual Property by Apple as it had to suffer from losses and deteriorated value in the market along with distribution of its customer base (Birkholm, 2016). Customers were affected because of the battle between the two organizations as they had questions regarding the reliability of the brand. Smartphone market also had to suffer because these two organizations are the two giants in the market and legal battle between the two had an impact on the market performance. What are the Ethical Issues and the Associated Implications? Theory of Utilitarianism There are ethical principles that have been defined in this theory of ethics that say that the ethical justification can be provided only if an act causes benefits and positive results to major section of parties that are involved. The impact of the activities that took place in this case on Apple were negative as it had to suffer from losses and deteriorated value in the market along with distribution of its customer base. The impact of the activities that took place in this case on Samsung were negative as it had to suffer from losses and deteriorated value in the market along with distribution of its customer base (West, 2004). There were a few benefits provided to the customers and the end users as they could experience and choose from higher number of options in the market with varied costs. However, they could not rely upon any of the two brands as their authenticity was put into question. Since the acts that were executed by both the companies resulted in a very minute benefit for the customer and was mainly composed of losses, the act is termed as ethically unjustified (Jacobson, 2008). Theory of Deontology There are ethical principles that have been defined in this theory of ethics that say that the ethical justification can be provided only if an act follows, adheres and reflects the rules and duties that guard it (Nill, 2015). There are legal and regulatory rules that have been defined around Intellectual Properties that state that a patented object cannot be copied, used or accessed without the permission of the owner. The rules that have been stated above have not been followed by either of the two companies and a clear and marked violation of the same can be observed. Apple had patented some features such as unlocking of the mobile phone by sliding the screen, auto correction feature along with incorporation of quick links and universal search. These features were included in the phones that were launched by Samsung in the market which led to the violation of the Intellectual Property. Samsung also patented some of the features that were developed by it and were also unique to it such as organization of folders and camera which were copied by Apple. Since the acts did not adhere to the rules and duties, it is termed as ethically unjustified. Virtue Ethics There are ethical principles that have been defined in this theory of ethics that say that the ethical justification can be provided only if an act causes happiness of self and others as the primary virtue (Grcic, 2013). In case of the battle between Apple and Samsung, customers were the entities that experienced little happiness in terms of the options that they could avail from the market. The two companies could also experience happiness in the form of initial profits and revenues. However, the happiness that was involved was on a short term basis as the customers could not trust the brands of their authenticity which led to losses and deterioration of the brand value. Also, there were selfish motives and virtues that were also involved with both the organizations (Hursthouse, 2012). The primary virtues that were involved in this case were selfishness and cheating along with dishonesty. Because of these reasons, the act has been termed as ethically unjustified. Theory of Social Contract There are ethical principles that have been defined in this theory of ethics that say that the ethical justification can be provided only if social norms and protocols are fulfilled by the act (Friend, 2017). There are many organizations that are working towards the manufacturing and production of Smartphones. Apple and Samsung are two such organizations. If all of the companies begin to copy the features and functionalities of each other then there will be a lot of mess that will result out from it. Also, it is not termed correct on the parameters of the ethical theory of social contract as well as it suggests exact opposite of it. The activity has therefore been termed as ethically incorrect on the basis of the guidelines under this theory. What can be done about it? It should have been made sure that the protection of the Intellectual Property is maintained and followed by all the organizations by implementing the code of ethics within the organizations (Ehrbar, 2015). The court did not find Samsung guilty of all the charges and therefore there should have been stronger legal architecture that is required to be set up. What are the Available Options that may be used? Market analysis and market study is very important and is required to be executed at regular intervals. Apple reported of the case at an advanced stage which led to a lot of damage that was already done. The reporting should have been done earlier on the basis of the market study and other evidences. There shall be stronger Intellectual Property rights and laws that should have been developed and implemented to make sure that the risks and attacks could not be executed at all. There shall be declarations made by these companies among their customers as soon as a new feature is launched and incorporated so that the users may be aware of the same. Professional code of conduct and ethical code of conduct shall be implemented and followed in the organizations in all the activities. References Balakrishnan, A. (2016). Supreme Court sides with Samsung in Apple patent damages dispute. CNBC. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/06/supreme-court-rules-for-samsung-in-apple-patent-case.html Bergold, J. Thomas, S. (2012). Participatory Research Methods: A Methodological Approach in Motion. Qualitative-research.net. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1801/3334 Birkholm, K. (2016). HYLE 22-1 (2016): The Ethical Judgment: Chemical Psychotropics. Hyle.org. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.hyle.org/journal/issues/22-1/birkholm.htm Ehrbar, J. (2015). Ethical Considerations of Genetic Manipulation in Sport. The Sport Journal. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://thesportjournal.org/article/ethical-considerations-of-genetic-manipulation-in-sport/ Friend, C. (2017). Social Contract Theory | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Iep.utm.edu. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.iep.utm.edu/soc-cont/ Grcic, J. (2013). Virtue Theory, Relativism and Survival. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.ijssh.org/papers/273-C10018.pdf Glover, J. (2009). Doing  Ethics in Rural Health Care Institutions. Retrieved from https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/cfm/resources/ethics/chapter-04.pdf Heeney, C. (2016). An Ethical Moment  in Data Sharing - May 13, 2016. Journals.sagepub.com. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0162243916648220 Hursthouse, R. (2012). Virtue Ethics and Human Nature. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.humesociety.org/hs/issues/v25n1-2/hursthouse/hursthouse-v25n1-2.pdf Jacobson, D. (2008). Utilitarianism without Consequentialism: The Case of John Stuart Mill. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://www.pgrim.org/philosophersannual/pa28articles/jacobson.pdf Nill, M. (2015). Deontology. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://cw.routledge.com/ref/ethics/entries/deontology.pdf West, H. (2004). An Introduction to Mills Utilitarian Ethics. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from https://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/28321/sample/9780521828321ws.pdf