BCS 401 – Ethics for Computing Professionals

Assignment 1

This assignment evaluates CLO-2 “Explain ethical decision process in computing and IT
professions.”

Case Study Analysis: Ethical Decision-Making in Computing

Read the scenario below. Write a report that answers the following topics.
 What are the ethical dilemmas? (10 pts)
 Who are the main stakeholders? (10 pts)
 What are the potential consequences of different actions? (10 pts)
 Identify and explain ethical principles or guidelines relevant to the case with respect to
ACM/IEEE-CS Code of Ethics for Software Engineers. (10 pts)
 Describe the Ethical Decision-Making Process. To do so use the process discussed in
the lecture slides. (20 pts)
 Propose a solution based on your analysis (20 pts), then, justify your solution by
adhering to the professional ethical standards. (20 pts)
The written report should be around 500 to 1500 words. It should be properly formatted. You
must submit your work as a PDF file. I will not accept another format.

Good Luck!
Dr. Kaya Oguz

You are a software engineer working for a small company, called Macrosoft, that creates custom
software solutions for its clients. Currently, you are developing a software for a major client,
FinancialFour, who asked for a proprietary financial management application. The deadline is
tight, and you are expected to deliver a cutting-edge solution.
During development, your fellow software engineer, John, is assigned to a key algorithm. While
reviewing the project’s progress, you notice that John has copied large sections of code from an
open-source project without proper attribution. According to the legally binding licensing of the
open-source project, the code can only be used if the software is also open-source, not
proprietary. However, John has already integrated the code into the project without informing the
client or the rest of the team.
When you confront him, he explains that he used the code to meet the tight deadline and avoid
delays. He says that no one will notice and that delivering the project on time is more important.
He also argues that the open-source code is publicly available, so it’s not a big deal. He asks you
to keep this between the two of you so that the project can stay on track.
Now, it is your move. What do you do?
The Ethical Dilemmas:
The primary ethical dilemma in this case is using open-source code without giving credit or
adhering to its license terms. The difficult decision is whether to report John's behavior, which
can cause delays or legal repercussions for violating the open-source license, or to keep quiet
about it in order to make the project deadline.
Other ethical dilemmas include giving FinancialFour proprietary software that contains
unlicensed open-source code in violation of professional obligations to protect intellectual
property and possibly damaging the company's reputation if the violation is discovered.

Principal Entities:
 FinancialFour: Should the code problem be found, their expectation of a proprietary
solution may be jeopardized.
 Macrosoft: The company's reputation, as well as its legal and financial status, are at
stake since it depends on its workers to uphold their professional responsibilities.
 John: If his actions are found, he might face both professional and personal
repercussions, such as termination or disciplinary charges.
 Me: As an engineer reviewing the code, I have to choose whether to disclose the problem
or keep quiet. It's a matter of my professional integrity.
 End Users of FinancialFour's Software: The end product's quality, security, and
compliance have an indirect impact on them.

Potential consequences of different actions:

 Reporting the Violation:
Macrosoft could have to wait longer and pay more money to fix the duplicated code, which
could weaken their confidence in FinancialFour. Nonetheless, the business would continue to
comply by ethical and legal requirements, avoiding potential legal issues. Although John may be
subject to sanctions or possibly fired, he would still be responsible for his behavior.
And while I will value ethical and moral conduct above all else, yet doing so would irritate John
and hinder the project's advancement.
 Ignoring the violation:
If the violation is found, Macrosoft may be subject to fines, delays in projects, or irreversible
harm to company reputation. while John avoids the immediate consequences, but exposure in the
future remains a possibility and I will compromise my moral principles and run the danger of
facing legal repercussions for the company and myself.
Relevant Ethical Principles from ACM/IEEE-CS
Code of Ethics for Software Engineers
 ACM 1.3 (Be Honest and Trustworthy): Ignoring the open-source licensing issue
would be dishonest. As a software engineer, I have a duty to inform the company and
the client of any ethical violations that could impact the software.
 ACM 1.5 (Respect the Work of Others): Using open-source code without following
its licensing terms disrespects the creators of that code. I must ensure that proper
attribution and compliance are maintained.
 ACM 2.4 (Accept and Provide Professional Review): My role includes reviewing
the work of others and ensuring that it meets ethical and legal standards. By reporting
the violation, I am fulfilling this responsibility.
 ACM 2.5 (Comprehensive Evaluations of Systems): I am obligated to provide a
thorough evaluation of the system, including identifying legal risks such as license
violations.
 IEEE 1.04 (Disclose Potential Dangers): I am ethically required to disclose
potential legal risks associated with using unlicensed open-source code to the relevant
authorities within the company.
 IEEE 2.02 (Not Knowingly Use Illegally or Unethically Obtained Software):
John’s actions violate this principle, and my duty is to ensure that only legally
obtained and licensed software is used.
 IEEE 6.12 (Express Concerns About Code Violations): I should express my
concerns to John and my supervisors, explaining the ethical breach and its potential
consequences.
 IEEE 7.01 (Encourage Colleagues to Follow the Code): By reporting this violation,
I encourage my colleagues to adhere to professional standards and avoid unethical
shortcuts.

Ethical Decision-Making Process:

 Determine the Problem: John violates licensing agreements by incorporating open-
source code into proprietary applications without authorization.
 Examine the Parties Involved: FinancialFour, Macrosoft, John, you, and the end users
are important stakeholders.
 Gather Information: Research the specific terms of the open-source license, the legal
implications of the violation, and the importance of meeting the project deadline.
 Evaluate the Repercussions: Overlooking the problem could have considerably more
negative effects on your reputation, finances, and legal standing than it would on the
project delays.
 Refer to the Ethical Standards: Review the IEEE-CS and ACM codes of ethics. It is
explicitly stated in the standards that using unlicensed software and failing to notify
infractions are immoral acts.
 Examine Other Options: To make the deadline, either notify management of the
infraction or choose to ignore it.
  Make a Decision: It is my ethical duty to report the infraction in order to maintain legal
compliance.
 Act and Reflect: Let my supervisor know what's going on, offer solutions, and make
sure the project stays morally and legally sound.

Proposed Solution and Justification

The best solution is to report the issue to the appropriate supervisor or project manager. This
action aligns with multiple ethical principles from both the ACM and IEEE-CS Code of Ethics.
Specifically, reporting ensures compliance with:

 ACM 1.3 (Be Honest and Trustworthy): Transparency with both the client and
company is essential for maintaining trust.

 IEEE 1.04 (Disclose to Appropriate Authorities): You are required to inform

management of any potential legal risks associated with the software.

 IEEE 6.12 (Express Concerns About Violations): Violations should be reported to

ensure they are addressed, maintaining the integrity of the project and the profession.

By reporting the issue, Macrosoft reduces the risk of legal repercussions, ensuring that the final
product is fully licensed and compliant. This also helps preserve client trust; maintaining open
communication with FinancialFour regarding potential delays shows the company’s commitment
to ethical practices, which can strengthen the relationship over time. Furthermore, it protects
professional integrity in accordance with IEEE 6.05 (Not Promote Personal Interest Over
Professional Duties) by maintaining ethical standards and making sure that the profession is not
compromised for temporary gains.

Once the issue is reported, immediate actions can include replacing the problematic code. It's
essential to dedicate additional resources to ensure that the code is replaced with
an ethically acceptable alternative. Also, negotiating with the client to explain the necessity for
this correction is crucial, as it shows the importance of delivering a legally sound product, even if
it leads to minor delays.

This approach ensures that the project upholds legal and ethical integrity, protecting both the
company’s and my professional reputation.