Management and the Technology Professional – B302

Case study answer 1

When Song BMG Music Entertainment asked us First4Internet ltd and me as the lead developer to devise a new piece of software which would help Sony stay on top of the Anti-piracy war which currently costs companies like Sony $4.2 billion worldwide, it was seen as a good development. After taking stock of exactly what Sony wanted and what I have produced my feelings on this are now somewhat different. The building of this software appears to have become cause considerable ethical and legal issues.

I believe that the most compelling reason why I should not have devised this piece of software is the legal liability implications for Sony and to my company First4Internet. The software that has been described by some as a ‘Rootkit’. This then means that because the user is unable to un-install the application and any such, any attempts to do so can corrupt the software that controls CD player on the personal computer. This is in fact contravening section 3a, of the computer miss use act of 1990. a) to impair the operation of any computer; So the company is liable to be taken to court and sued this could have potential catastrophic effects as it would result in a very large monetary pay out. Further more should a president be made during a single court case the company could soon find that a number of Sony customers having brought a Sony CD wishing to seek legal advise, which in turn could cause more financial outlays.