In what way do traditional copyright laws fail
to safeguard the investments of software
developers?
In what ways can a software developer be
unsuccessful in obtaining a patent?
Q16: a. Mary Analyst has been assigned the task of implementing a system with
which medical records will be stored on a computer that is connected to a
large network. In her opinion the design for the system’s security is
flawed but her concerns have been overruled for financial reasons. She
has been told to proceed with the project using the security system that
she feels is inadequate. What should she do? Why?
b. Suppose that Mary Analyst implemented the system as she was told, and
now she is aware that the medical records are being observed by unauthorized
personnel. What should she do? To what extent is she liable for
the breach of security?
c. Suppose that instead of obeying her employer, Mary Analyst refuses to
proceed with the system and blows the whistle by making the flawed
design public, resulting in a financial hardship for the company and the
loss of many innocent employees’ jobs. Were Mary Analyst’s actions correct?
What if it turns out that, being only a part of the overall team, Mary
Analyst was unaware that sincere efforts were being made elsewhere
within the company to develop a valid security system that would be
applied to the system on which Mary was working. How does this change
your judgment of Mary’s actions? (Remember, Mary’s view of the situation
is the same as before.)