Ethical Issues

Ethical Issues
Ethical issues are issues that are morally right or wrong. They can offend certain groups of people. Not against the law. Got to make sure it represents all people. Don't alienate people. Doesn't cause offence or disturb those who use it.
Examples:
Ethnicity
Religion
Sexuality
Appearance
Consequences:
Damage reputation
Lawsuit
Could be banned

• The models all have different body shapes to avoid the stereotypical size 0 body.
  
  
  
• Using a black women, a Chinese women and a white women so that the advert is aimed at all ethnic backgrounds. Diversity. More people they represent the more money they make. 
• Skinniest model in the middle which is where your attention is immediately drawn.
• Fashion=body image
• Asos sell a range of different clothes-suit all.
• Not representing religion, disability or age range.
• Black lady dressed fierce-plays up to a lot of stereotypes.
• Attitude- stereotypical to a certain race 
• Androgonist  
• Impressionable to younger audience 
• Animal testing 
• legs out 

An educational video game aimed at 8-12 year olds about healthy eating.

People who eat unhealthy look a certain way-challenge by having more than one person eating unhealthy looking different ways-exercise

Diatry requirements different meats -different options in the game 

Exercise-Range of exercises to choose from 

Race/ethnicity-different backgrounds 

Dont use complicated language -visuals, sounds, colours, animation, colours 

How to compensate for not eatihng certain foods.

Access-how the audience gets chnace to use the product-different platforms

Different languages-subtitles

Blind and deaf-Brail

L01-Regulatory Bodies

Regulatory bodies-Protect the public. View and assess suitability of content for different media products. Make sure we arnt breaking any laws. Legal Requirement. They create policies so we dont break any laws.
BBFC
Pegi
ASA
Ofcom
PRS
IPSO
W3C

Legal Issues Research Task l01

Research Task 

Tv Production: One of the legal issues that 'The Ellen Show' would have to consider would be Slander because she interviews celebrities on a talk show and she has to be careful that she doesn't use defamatory language towards any of them by manipulating what they have said because this would ruin the celebrities reputation. Another legal issue that applies to this show is the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act which means that the owners of Ellen have to protect their shows format. A regulatory issue they would have to make sure they didn’t break would be the rule of practise by OFCOM in which the public along side the OFCOM team decide if something is appropriate to be on the TV when children are watching. For example, if the Ellen show was aired pre water shed and involved bad language then they could be fined or they could have to write a letter of apology to the public because there may be children watching. They also need to make sure that all the content shown is ethical to the public. This means that it doesn’t offend anyone so therefore doesn't feature any form of for example, racism or sexism being spoken by Ellen or whoever she is interviewing. They could receive a lawsuit if they didn’t comply to these rules and regulations.

Social Media Campaign: One of the legal issues that Donald Trump has to consider is Libel because he writes tweets on twitter about the different countries and the different races and has been know for racism. He has to be careful because it damages peoples reputations and he could therefore face a law suit. Another legal issue he would face would be the Data Protection Act because he will be made aware by security of certain individuals who could be dangerous and he could release there information on social media before it is made aware to the public which could mean that he is prosecuted or would have to pay a fine. A regulatory issue he would have to be aware of would be to what extent his speech is free without offending anyone. If he does and the W3C are notified then he will be given guidance by them. Donald Trump needs to be careful with regards to using racism
online because this is unethical and will ruin his reputation. His posts will be taken down if this happens and he could face a ban from the internet.

Digital Animation: One of the legal issues that Dreamworks has to consider is the Intellectual Property Act because they have to be careful that they don’t copy ideas from Walt Disney Company or Universal. If they do and the product or idea isn’t marked for fair use they could receive a fine. Another legal issue that dreamworks would have to consider would be copyright designs and patent act because it protects an invention such as a character. The legal issue they would have to consider during pre production is what age rating they put on the film. This will be regulated by the BBFC who will decide whether this age rating is appropriate for the audience. If it isn’t appropriate at the age rating Dreamworks think it is because of, for example, bad language then the rating will be changed to a higher rating in order to protect the audience.

Radio Production: One of the legal issues that the BBC have to consider is slander because they're interviewing people on a public platform. They have to make sure that they don’t make false statements about a person when interviewing them or talking about them on the radio as this would ruin their reputation and could cause a lawsuit. Another legal issue they would have to consider would be the Freedom of information act because the public is entitled to public’s sectors organisations information. The time the show is aired will be regulated by ofcom who decide whether the time of day is fit for the audience. For example, if sex is mentioned then it will need to be post watershed so that no children here and no complaints are made as this could lead to a fine. An ethical issue that Dremworks needs to consider is making sure that the film can be viewed in different languages so that it reaches a wider audience and doesn’t discriminate against a certain country and the way they speak.

Graphic Novel: One of the legal issues that the Superman Grahic Novel would have to consider would be the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act because this protects the invention of superman and the invention of the story in the comic. They would have to make a contract so that nobody else uses it. They would also have to consider the data protection act as people may sign up for a subscription using there personal details such as there bank details and their address. The company would have to encrypt this information so that it isn’t reachable by anybody else. If they do not and this information; is leaked they could face a huge lawsuit and a very big fine. This would be regulated by IPSO who make sure that magazines are suitable for their audience and that the editors have conformed with editors code. This will be based on public opinion and can cause a fine or a lawsuit. An ethical issue that the comic will need to consider will be the characters in the comic and how they look. In order to make the most profit, the comic should include characters from different backgrounds and different origins so that it appeals to everyone.

Digital Photographic Product: One of the legal issues that Micheal Malloy and his online photography portfolio would have to consider would be the Intellectual Property act alongside the Copyright Designs and Patents Act. They would both need to be considered so that Micheal is only using his own work so that he doesn’t get in trouble for using copyrighted images which belong to someone else and that his pictures are protected so that only certain people can use them. A regulatory issue he would have to consider would be how he captions his images as he is entitled to free speech however this has to lie within certain regions so that he doesn’t offend anyone. If he does and the W3C are notified then he would receive advice on how not to break this regulation again. Ethical issues he would have to consider is who he is photography. For example,if all of his pictures which are part of industry photography were all on white men then the audience is going to become a lot slimmer in size because he isn’t thinking about different backgrounds, religions and genders. Because the website can be viewed by anyone it would be to his advantage to do this.

Legal Issues

The Data Protection Act:

What is it?
Establishes a data protection law that looks after all personal data such as age, gender and address. it is about keeping it safe.
3 reasons why it's important:

• Protect privacy of people and company info
• Helps people with illnesses such as dementia 
• Reassuring to know personal date is safe-agree to terms and conditions

What happens if you don't follow the law:

Penalty notices- penalty up to 500k

Prosecutions

Enforcement notices-warning

Audit- official inspection

Example:

Sony were fined 250,00 over a PlayStation data hack-Criticised for not having up to date software

How it effects Pre-Production

Handle personal data carefully-Staff, customers, company's they're working with.

Pre Production Take longer

Intellectual Property Act:

What is it? L

Rights given to a person or company for their intellectual property. Cover things like music, films, discovery's, inventions made by you.

3 reasons why it's important:

• Keeps businesses and individuals focused on research and development more.
• Sets businesses away from competitors
• Provides protection of an idea-consequences if not
  

What happens if you don't follow the law:

Breach of civil or criminal law. Depending on what was stolen depends on the size of the penalty of fine.

Example

Hangover Part Two- Mike Tyson's tattoo artist claimed the design as copyright. Warner bros got away with it because it was fair use.

How it affects Pre production

It determines whether or not a particular use is fair. This makes the Pre-production stage come under the

Libel:

What is it?

A piece of writing that contains bad and false info about a person. similar to slander but written down.

3 reasons why its important:

• Exposes a person to hatred, shame, disgrace or ridicule.
• effects a persons reputation-avoided by company's
• Effects the occupation

Consequences

fines, community service 

Example:

Tried to sue a us magazine for claims that he had an affair with Ira Nici, a former prostitute. got dismissed- said he was visiting his sick father

How does it effect Pre Production?:

Depletes sales and refine funds from sponsors because reputation is ruined.

Freedom of Information act:

What is it?

Law created in 2000 that states that the public have rights to information held by public author authorities. Public authorities are obliged to publish certain bits of withheld information. 

3 reasons why it's important:
The act is important as it governs sensitive information that may greatly affect the authority holding it. These authorities include: Businesses, schools, the police and the NHS.
Consequences
–The ICO (Information commissioners office) can fine any company that breaches the act by refusing to publish information, or withholding it. Breaches of this act are unlawful, but not criminal.
Example:
The BBC has recently published information about their workers salaries, listing the wages of all company members (This was after a battle with the Freedom of information act after many previous requests for this information had been declined due to the BBC’s ‘exemptions’). The company employs workers earning 1% of Chris Evans £2.2 million pounds yearly pay packet.
How does it effect Pre Production?:
The act does not have a tremendous impact on pre-production as it mostly governs the actions of the company after the product has been made and the documentation process as it is being produced. However, it does mean that companies have to compile information on a database and be prepared to 




release it on demand.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998


What is it?
An act that allows creators of products such as music and literary to control how their work is used. It doesn't protect

3 reasons why it's important:

• Prevents the owner's work from being used i ways they do not approve of. 
• It allows the author to be recognised for what they have made

Consequences:
Make you hand over all your profits made
Orders to pay for damages
Orders to stop broadcasting 
Example:
Napsater-Music sharing website. Involved in a lawsuit with various record companies who didnt want thee music distibuted for free. Had to pay 26 million and forced to shut down.
How does it effect Pre Production?:
Making sure a media product such as a film does not release with coyrighted material.
Slander


What is it?

Making a false and damaging statement about someone to give them a bad name and to campaign against them.

3 reasons why it's important:
It is important because if you are taken to court over slander it could lead to very bad and damaging problems for you, your business and many other people.More importantly if you are running a large conglomerate corporation it will ruin you reputation, business and have an effect on your profit.

Consequences

It is treated as a crime rather than a civil wrong. A court case could lead to a fine, prosecution, or you/your business could be made bankrupt to pay the damages.

Example:

Tom Cruise took a gay porn star to court as the porn star claimed to a French magazine that he and Tom Cruise had an affair, this was apparently the reason that the marriage between Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Fortunately the Cruise slander case in court, this meaning that the lying porn star actor payed Tom Cruise 10 million dollars.

How does it effect Pre Production?:

If you are charged for slander it could lead to spenders withdrawing funding for pre-production to start and this will mean there could be no product to plan for or produce.    

Legal Issues for the exam

Legal Issues for the exam

• Freedom of information act 2000
• Intellectual property rights 
• Data protection act 
• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
• Libel
• Slander

L01 Legal issues

Legal issues: Something that is required by law.

Copyrighted material- using labelled for reuse and modification or using your intellectual property
Getting permission to use trademarks-logos
No false advertising
Patented-an invention that cant be used without permission. eg purple off cadbury.
Age Rating-BBFC for films. British board of film classification-content is appropriate for the audience
Permissions for locations

Consequences:
Fine-loss of profit
sued
prosecuted-trespassing

Ways we can gain permission:
Contact them- Email, phone, video chat.
Set up a meeting
Contract

Research Project

The name of the project is the documentary film ‘The Age Of Stupid’. The Age of Stupid’s budget was £450,000 which was split between 223 inviduals and groups who each donated between 500 and 35 000 pounds which helped them reach their goal. The film was shot in seven countries over a period of three years. The film begins in the year 2055 where London is flooded, Sydney is burning and Las Vegas has been swallowed up by desert. An unnamed archivist played by Pete Postlehwaite is trusted with the safekeeping of humanity’s survival. I think this project was successful because they met their target and the film had good reviews by the guardian and the Telegraph. The telegraph said the film was ‘Bold, supremely provocative and hugely important’, furthermore, based on only 12 reviews on rotten tomato the film was given a rating of 73 percent.

Starter task-Crowdfunding

Starter Task:
1) Crowdfunding is where you ask for an amount of money online to create a project and the public donate to your cause.
2) Two advantages for an independant company are that you can rely on yourself instead of other people and there are no limitations with rasing your money.
3) Two disadvantages for an independent company are that if you dont recieve the money you cant fund your project and in a conglomerate you would get adverising for free and in a subsidary you would have to pay.