← VCE Software Development U4O2

Intellectual property in software you write

The legal right of the person who writes original code to control who can copy, share or sell it. Others need the owner's permission, even for a classmate's code.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U4O2 - Cyber Security: secure software development practices — Module 118, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Legal requirements and emerging trends — Module 3, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Cyber Security — Module 183

Understanding Intellectual property in software you write in VCE Software Development U4O2

What it does: Naming yourself as author and owner records that you hold the copyright in your own original code. Being shown code does not give you the right to copy it. Copying a classmate's code without permission breaches their copyright and is also academic misconduct. Code written for a client can belong to the client if the agreement says so. Always check the contract before reusing that code. Ownership stays with the person who wrote the original code, no matter who has a copy of it.

Common mistakes: The person who writes original code usually owns the copyright, so the author of your own code should have owns_copyright = True. == compares values, so owner is never created and print() fails. Use a single = to store "me" as the owner of your own code.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 97–130) and word search (Modules 49–130).

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Learning

Duo

You write a original game in Python for your own project. Who usually owns the copyright in that code?

Whoever downloads or plays the game firstYou, as the person who wrote it

Matches

# I copied Mia's code, so now it is mine

↓

Copying someone else's code does not transfer ownership. Mia still owns the copyright, and you need her permission to use it.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Meaning

The legal right of the person who writes original code to control who can copy, share or sell it. Others need the owner's permission, even for a classmate's code.

Practice

Type out real code from this module.

Testing

Gaps

# 2025 Ava Nguyen

Check Answer

Spots

1author = "Ava"

2owns_copyright = False

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Quick Questions

1. You write a original game in Python for your own project. Who usually owns the copyright in that code?

A. Whoever downloads or plays the game first

B. You, as the person who wrote it ✓

The person who writes original code usually owns the copyright in it, with no need to register it in Australia.

2. A classmate lets you look at their finished program. Can you copy it into your own SAT and hand it in as yours?

A. No, you need the owner's permission and must acknowledge them ✓

B. Yes, because it was shown to you at school

Being shown code does not give you the right to copy it. Copying a classmate's code without permission breaches their copyright and is also academic misconduct.

3. Which statement about copyright in your own original code is correct?

A. Anyone can sell it once it is saved on a shared drive

B. Others need your permission to copy or sell it ✓

Copyright gives the owner control over who can copy, share or sell the code, even if it is stored somewhere others can reach it.

4. You build a website for a client under a written contract that says the client owns the finished code. Who owns the copyright?

A. The client, because the contract says so ✓

B. You, because you typed every line

Code written for a client can belong to the client if the agreement says so. Always check the contract before reusing that code.

5. Your classmate wrote a function and you want to use it in your project. What is the best first step?

A. Ask for permission and credit them in a comment ✓

B. Copy it and change the variable names

Renaming variables does not remove the owner's rights. Asking permission and giving credit is the right approach.

Match the Pairs

# Written for client: Bella's Bakery → Code made for a client, where ownership may depend on the agreement or contract made beforehand

The person who writes original code usually owns the copyright, so you own the program you create yourself → # Author and owner: Jess Tran

Copying a classmate's code without their permission breaks their copyright, even if you change a few names → my_code = classmate_code # no permission

# I copied Mia's code, so now it is mine → Copying someone else's code does not transfer ownership. Mia still owns the copyright, and you need her permission to use it.

# Sold Noah's program to a friend for $20 → Selling code you did not write needs the owner's permission. Noah owns the copyright, so only he can allow it to be sold.

Key Term

copyright

The legal right of the person who writes original code to control who can copy, share or sell it. Others need the owner's permission, even for a classmate's code.

Fill in the Blanks

Hint: Type the legal term for the right an author holds over the code they wrote.

2. if user != "Ava": print("Ask permission first")

Hint: Type the operator that checks the user is NOT the code's owner.

3. # Only the owner can say who may copy this

Hint: Type the word for the person who holds the copyright.

4. # Written for a client: check the contract

Hint: Type the written agreement that shows who owns code made for a client.

5. # Copying Zoe's code needs her permission

Hint: Type what you must get from a classmate before you copy their code.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A author = "Ava"

B owns_copyright = False

C print(author, owns_copyright)

Line B — The person who writes original code usually owns the copyright, so the author of your own code should have owns_copyright = True.

Question 2

A # Code I wrote myself

B owner == "me"

C print("Owner:", owner)

Line B — == compares values, so owner is never created and print() fails. Use a single = to store "me" as the owner of your own code.

Question 3

A # Website for a client

B agreed_owner = "client"

C if agreed_owner = "client":

D print("Client owns it")

Line C — An if statement needs == to compare the agreed owner of client code. A single = is assignment and causes a syntax error.

Question 4

A def can_copy(asked)

B if asked:

C return True

D return False

Line A — A function definition must end with a colon. This function checks that you asked the owner's permission before copying code.

Question 5

A code_owner = "Zoe"

B asked = False

C if asked == True:

D print("Leo may copy"

E else:

F print("Ask Zoe first")

Line D — The closing bracket is missing from print(). It should be print("Leo may copy"). Leo may only copy a classmate's code once Zoe has given permission.

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