LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND SOCIETAL ISSUES IN MEDIA &

INFORMATION LITERACY

I. Learning Objective:
 Define and explain copyright and other related issues.
(MIL11/12LESI-IIIg-20)
 Explain actions to promote ethical use of media and information.
(MIL11/12LESI-IIIg-22)
 Enumerate opportunities and challenges in media and information.
(MIL11/12LESI-IIIg-23)

II. Lesson Proper:

A. Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn more about Copyright and Plagiarism.
Copyright is grounded in Republic Act No. 8293 or The Intellectual Property Code of
the Philippines of 1997. It declares that “the State recognizes that an effective intellectual and
industrial property system is vital to the development of domestic and creative activity,
facilitates transfer of technology, attracts foreign investments, and ensures market access for
our products.

B. Discussion
 Terms to remember:
 Copyright: a legal device that gives the creator of a literary, artistic, musical, or other
creative work the sole right to publish and sell that work. Copyright owners have the right
to control the reproduction of their work, including the right to receive payment for that
reproduction. An author may grant or sell those rights to others, including publishers or
recording companies. Violation of a copyright is called infringement.
 Plagiarism - an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of
another author without authorization; the representation of that author's work as one's
own, as by not crediting the original author.
 Cyber Bullying - bullying that takes place online, or using electronic technology such as
cell phones, computers, and tablets over communication tools including social media
sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyber bullying: text messages or
emails composed to insult or demean; rumours or false statements spread by email or
posted on social networking sites; and humiliating photos, videos, websites, or fake
profiles deliberately shared across social media.
 Computer addiction - the excessive use of computers to the extent that it interferes with
daily life. This excessive use may for example interfere with work or sleep, result in
problems with social interaction, or affect mood, relationships, and thought processes.
 Digital divide - an economic inequality between groups in terms of access to, use of, or
knowledge of ICT. The divide within countries (such as the digital divide in the United
States) can refer to inequalities between individuals, households, businesses, and
geographic areas at different socioeconomic (and other demographic) levels. The Global
digital divide designates countries as the units of analysis, and examines the divide
between developing and developed countries on an international scale.

 FILSCAP: The Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, Publishers, Inc.

 It is a non-profit association of composers, lyricists and music publishers which
collectively enforces the public performance right and communication to the public right
granted by law to copyright owners of musical works.
 It is the only copyright society in the Philippines for music copyright owners.
 It was established in 1965.
 Operates as a collective management organization (CMO) for copyright owners of local
and foreign musical works.
 The law recognizes FILSCAP under Sec. 183 of our Intellectual Property Code.
 Without CMOs, a music copyright owner would have to track, monitor and license every
public performance and communication to the public of his works worldwide.
(Source:http://www.filscap.com.ph/index.php/licensing/faq)
- Now, Spotify which gives everyone the right to play millions of
copyrighted music.

 Digital Literacy is part of the nine elements of Digital Citizenship (DC), which can be
defined as “the norms of appropriate, responsible behaviour with regard to technology
use.”
 Digital Access refers to full electronic participation in society.
 Digital Etiquette pertains to electronic standards of conduct or procedure.