CJE 1687 - Computer Software Piracy and Copyright Infringement

College of Public Safety Administration

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2015 (505)

Course Description

This course provides the student with an overview of the legal issues involved in computer software piracy and copyright infringement, the tools and technologies used to commit these offenses, and the investigative techniques that can be utilized to combat these crimes.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will know the definition of software piracy by:
    1. reviewing software licenses agreements.
    2. researching laws that apply to software piracy.
    3. listing methods used to pirate computer software.
    4. describing trade secrets.
    5. explaining software patents.
    6. reading case histories.
  2. The student will know the definition of copyright infringement as related to electronic media by:
    1. explaining the definition of intellectual property.
    2. reviewing laws that apply to copyrights.
    3. listing electronic media that can be copyrighted.
    4. listing technology and tools used to violate copyrights.
    5. explaining how the Internet can be used to violate copyrights.
  3. The student will demonstrate how a computer and the Internet can be used to pirate computer software by:
    1. exploring web sites that allow visitors to download pirated computer software.
    2. researching computer software piracy case histories.
    3. examining the technology used to create counterfeit computer software.
    4. explaining how the Internet can be used to pirate computer software.
    5. listing the most popular software applications that are pirated on the Internet.
  4. The student will demonstrate how a computer and the Internet can be used to violate copyrights by:
    1. exploring web sites that provide tools used to violate copyrights.
    2. researching copyright violation case histories.
    3. examining the technology and tools on the Internet used to violate copyrights.
    4. explaining how the Internet can be used to violate copyrights.
  5. The student will understand the principles of investigating computer software piracy and copyright infringement cases by:
    1. reviewing laws and rules regarding computer software piracy and copyright infringement.
    2. reading case histories of computer software piracy and copyright infringement.
    3. researching web sites related to computer software piracy and copyright infringement.
    4. discussing scenarios of computer software piracy and copyright infringement.
    5. writing reports of computer software piracy and copyright infringement cases.
  6. The student will understand the issues related to the jurisdiction of computer software piracy and copyright infringement investigations by:
    1. reviewing laws and rules regarding jurisdiction.
    2. discussing state jurisdiction.
    3. discussing federal jurisdiction.
    4. discussing international jurisdiction.
    5. applying laws to scenarios involving computer
    6. software piracy and copyright infringement.
  7. The student will know the location of web sites that can be used as resources in the investigation of computer software piracy and copyright infringement by:
    1. locating the sources of investigative software tools on the Internet.
    2. exploring the features of investigative software tools available on the Internet.
    3. using investigative software tools.
    4. obtaining access to secured sources of information on the Internet.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual classroom instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 4/10/01,DBT5/15/01, eff 20003. C&I 6/25/02, BOT7/29/02, eff 20021. Online 2002. Effective 20051(0355). 3 Year Review 2008. C&I Approval: 01/25/2005, BOT Approval: 03/21/2005, Effective Term: Fall 2005 (355).
C&I Approval: 11/21/2014, BOT Approval: 02/17/2015, Effective Term: Fall 2015 (505)

Related Programs

  1. Computer Related Crime Investigation (CRCI-CT) (585) (Draft)
  2. Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations (DIGFORN-AS) (620) (Active)
  3. Public Safety Administration (PSA-TR) (670) (Active)