HW15: Chapter 15

15.10. The reuse of software raises a number of copyright and intellectual property issues. If a ­customer pays a software contractor to develop a system, who has the right to reuse the developed code? Does the software contractor have the right to use that code as a basis for a generic component? What payment mechanisms might be used to reimburse providers of reusable components? ­Discuss these issues and other ethical issues associated with the reuse of software.

             I think that the right to reuse any developed code should be made explicitly clear at the beginning of any contract made between any two parties. The one developing the code or system needs to specify how it is to be used by the one purchasing it, as it is their intellectual property to begin with. If the contractor seeks to copyright their system beforehand, then they would have sole permission for allowing others to reuse their work. However, if they flat out sell their intellectual property to another person or business, then it is no longer theirs and they can’t regulate its reuse. As for payment, the one who owns the copyright for a system should be the one who determines how much it is worth, whether it’s a royalty fee, one time purchase, or free.