Internet Ethics

The dictionary describes ethics as Ў§the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligationЎЁ (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2006). Even the dictionaryЎ¦s definition is not helpful in differentiating between moral and ethics. While the Internet is no longer a newborn, it is still an industry that is in its infancy. And like every baby, its first steps are tentative and unsure. Mistakes are made, falls are many, and the world seems wide-open and limitless. The companies that are being born within this new technology are focusing on the opportunities and possibilities; perforce, they are less concerned, than more established, brick and mortar businesses, with the legal and ethical niceties. Nevertheless, the decisions that they are making and the practices that they are adopting have a tremendous impact on the world around them (Maury & Kleiner, 2002, p. 21).

The Internet presents its own set of unique obstacles in regards to the law and ethical standards. One of these issues includes linking, hyperlinks, and deep linking. The problem with hyperlinks is that they can be used to break copyright infringement laws if the links are not licensed or not obvious. Just posting the link on the website is not a problem but if the link is not apparent that the user is entering a different site or if there is licensing or accreditation than that would be a case of copyright infringement. According to Maury & Kleiner (2002), Ў§Web site owners can solve the legal and ethical concerns raised by hyperlinks in a number of ways. They can continue to deep link, provided the owner of the copyrighted information consents to the conduct. A licensing agreement between the owners of the web sites would address this issue and resolve it. Alternatively, the web site operator can indicate clearly that there is a hyperlink and identify its source. The ethical issues thus encompass not only the proprietary rights of copyright holders and the extent they should be allowed to limit others' use of their property, but also the consequent impact on users of the Internet with respect to their ability to use the Internet effectively and efficiently.ЎЁ Other ethical issues of concern include the following:

„X Music Downloads: The cases against Napster showed the conflict of public policy considerations.

„X Patents: Patent should encourage innovation but does not always accomplish this task. Patents sometimes give unfair advantages by granting monopolies. This is not what the law originally intended.

„X Revenue: Some Internet companies gross their revenue up like the company Priceline. Ў§These costs are reported as product costs, which then reduce the gross amount to a net amount called gross profit but is in reality their revenue. While this practice is not illegal, it is disingenuousЎЁ (Maury & Kleiner, 2002, p. 21).

„X Privacy Rights: Many Internet companies collect personal information on customers and then sell this information to third parties. There are many legal and ethical questions around the process. The United States has not taken a proactive approach on this issue but Europe has by mandated directive to protect consumer privacy.

In order to comply and resolve significant conflicts with the laws and ethical standards in the United States and in major Global trading countries a general set of principle should be followed as indicated by Mateti (2002) below:

Contribute to society and human well-being. This principle concerning the quality of life of all people affirms an obligation to protect fundamental human rights and to respect the diversity of all cultures.