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"ONLINE ETHICS" by DGLAIRD, Dec. 16, 1988 at 11:53 Eastern about STATEMENT FROM THE ENA - MARCH 16, 1987 (538 characters & 1 note)What follows in the next note is a guideline for "Online Ethics". It was prepared by members of a cluster of the Electronic Networking Association and was endorsed by that Association on March 16, 1987.
Stefanie Kott and I had a lot to do with its preparation, as did many members of the Ethics Cluster.
I would like any reflections at this time. I believe this policy still stands and in my mind the following is still a useful document.
This is a read/write conference so I would be happy for any comments or queries.
Gordon Laird
1 (of 1) DGLAIRD Dec. 16, 1988 at 11:54 Eastern (9788 characters)
The following is a policy statement approved by the Electronic Networking Association March 16, 1987. Copyright (c) by Electronic Networking Association (ENA), 1987 "ONLINE ETHICS" - March 16, 1987
We recognize that this statement will require updating from time to time as we have the experience of putting it into practice. We would appreciate further comments and suggestions at any time. Please address them to "ENA ETHICS" on UNISON, or mail them to ENA c/o Patelcomp Inc., 2174 Seymour Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45237. [note: this address is shown here only for historical purposes. Please do not use it.]
Some organizations may find it helpful to adopt all or parts of this statement for their own use. Should this happen we would be happy to be informed.
PREAMBLE
When people share their thoughts in writing with others the issue is immediately raised: under what circumstances may others use those written words? This subject is not new with computer communications - it has been the focus of much study regarding Copyright through the centuries. The purpose of this statement is not to debate the pros and cons of Copyright as it has been applied to books, papers and articles in the past, but to set forth some new aspects which computer communication brings to those issues.
SPEED AND VOLUME
Computer Communications has sped up the process of written interaction between people by a factor of ten, one hundred or one thousand. Paul Mullen illustrated this in his article, "I Never Wrote to my Mother". Paul reveals the guilt he feels at not sending a simple letter to his Mother while writing hundreds of notes electronically to scores of people. Most of us write hundreds of notes electronically for every letter we write to send by surface mail. The sheer volume of interaction between people demands a close look at the ethics of how we deal with the words of other writers.
INTERACTION OF PEOPLE WITH VARIED BACKGROUNDS AND SKILLS
Computer communication brings together people with a much greater variety of backgrounds than the more traditional professional organizations. We are used to relating to certain people in our work environment, and others in our social environment. We choose our friends on the basis of some common aims and perceptions. But in computer communications it is usual for accountants to be talking with communications experts - rural pastors with management consultants. What brings us together is our interest in computer communication rather than in our narrow field of expertise. It is possible to "gather" a group of people "online" who together possess a remarkably varied array of skills. They will not necessarily have agreed beforehand to ways of dealing with secrecy or privacy - or have fully-articulated approaches to the use of others' written words. It helps when we explain our assumptions about how our words will be used by others, openly and candidly.
WE ARE BUILDING NEW KINDS OF TRUST-NETWORKS - ACROSS NEW FRONTIERS
Most of us have learned that the world of thoughts and ideas is a competitive one. We are all aware of the need of scholars to "publish or perish" - but for most of us publishing articles is a more occasional, if increasingly important aspect of our vocations. The competitive aspect remains - there is the possibility of job promotions, of professional recognition. We are challenged by computer communications into a more collaborative style of relating to others. There may be times when individual efforts are merged into group efforts in ways which no longer make it easy for individuals to take credit for one discovery or another. We are learning to trust people whom we have never seen, and who, in many cases, are by profession, location, or walk of life, people whom we would otherwise have no opportunity of befriending. Boundaries lose their power: geographical, national, cultural. The ease of computer communication can also be deceptive. It can make us feel that we can have better communication with others, when sometimes it appears that our communication is only easier and faster, not better.
Computer Communication is a 'two-edged sword' While understandings can be transmitted quickly so can misunderstandings. While information can be transmitted quickly so can gossip and mis-information. Sometimes when computer communication appear to be a 'new heaven and a new earth' it reveals itself to be more like Hell. The intimate environment which can on the one hand encourage trust, can also be used to betray confidences. Along with the surprising advantages of the new technology we need to develop intentional ways of relating to each other which lead to long-term commitments and trust relationships.GUIDLINES FOR ONLINE ETHICS
There are two areas in which we propose guidelines:
I Relationships of Specialized Conferences with their Host Network Systems
II How we may use the contributions of others
I RELATIONSHIPS OF SPECIALIZED CONFERENCES WITH THEIR HOST NETWORK SYSTEMS
a. Terminology: 'Specialized Conferences' (or Conference) will be used to describe a cluster of topics under the control and guidance of one organization, such as the ENA, or ECUNET. "Host Network System" (or Host) will be used to describe the Networking Systems, such as Compserve, the SOURCE, UNISON, the WELL, NWI, etc.
b. The relationships between the Conference and the Host are complex, with some independent aspects, and some dependent aspects. The interests of the Conferences with their Host are usually complementary, but may on occasion be conflicting. Their aims are different and these differences need to be taken seriously.
c. There are many areas which should be negotiated before the relationship is established - preferably by means of a written contract. These are some of the topics which need to be negotiated:
1. Rates, prime and non-prime, any discount rates, times and method of billing and payment.3. What the Conference can expect of the Host Sysops - what duties they perform, and what guidelines they will respect regarding the confidentiality of the Conference discussions.2. The degree to which the Conference can expect to carry out its own Sysoping function, i.e.
- The extent to which the Root and Branch structure of the Conference will be designed and controlled by the Conference
-the extent to which the Conference is free to add new members
-how Conference members are removed - by the Conference or the Host? Under what circumstances?
- the kinds of signon messages given to its members
4. Termination procedures: the circumstances under which the Host or Conference may terminate the relationship. It is very important to spell out what kind of procedures will be in place for the removal of the Conference materials to expedite their transfer to another Host.
Some Host Systems make the claim by Copyright notice that they have the right to the exclusive use of any materials which are entered on their system.
We maintain that the most basic purpose of Copyright is to protect the interest of the author of the material. We will maintain that the primary claim to any written words belongs to the writer of those words. We suggest that it is important, when deciding upon a Host System Network, that the Conference obtain from that Host a clear indication of their claims, if any, to the contents of the materials posted on the Conference.
II HOW WE MAY USE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHERS
a. We favor as much freedom as possible in the transmission of the information posted in public conferences. We recognize that we all have many ways of keeping exchanges between members private, so that they never come to public view. In public conference we will like to see a minimum of restrictions as to the 'porting' of notes.
b. We maintain, however, that the words of others may not be used for political or commercial purposes without the author's permission.
c. The use of explanatory notes in the 'masthead' of a topic is of utmost importance. The Organizer of a topic has the option of placing in his/her 'masthead' a description of the ways the notes posted to the topic will be treated.
Some examples:d. We will respect any restrictions placed by the organizer of a conference in the 'masthead' and consider it understood that if we continue to read any of that conference we have assented to those restrictions.With the innovation of "Parallel Conferences" in which the material of one topic is automatically 'ported' to another Host System by the computer, the 'masthead' should describe in detail how the notes will be handled. A person writing to that conference should be aware that their note will be ported to other Host Systems automatically. Should they object to this, the mere mention of their objection in the body of their note will not suffice. They would be better advised to address private notes or to initiate a private conference.
A person writing a book may put up chapters of their book for review and comment. They should include in the 'masthead' their intention that this material is copyrighted, and must not be ported or quoted elsewhere without permission.
Copyright (c) by Electronic Networking Association (ENA), 1987. The Electronic Networking Association gives express permission for "Online Ethics - March 16, 1987" to be ported to any network, but requires that it be ported complete and intact.
ENA March 16, 1987
If you have any reactions to this statement please E:mail me - gordonlaird@canada.com
Updated to July 25, 2004
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