Random Acts

Acts that can affect a designer.

Obscene Publication.

• There is no guidlines e.g no actual written law, it is mainly opinionated by how many complaints are gained from the publication and if it falls into the obscene publications acts - "An Act to strengthen the law for preventing the publication for gain of obscene matter and the publication of things intended for the production of obscene matter."
• Obscene publication is for example - inapropriate imagery which can include images of death, brutal violence, gore, swearing etc.
• Punishment for breech can include being sued heavily which can result in bankruptcy and loss of everything if you are a ltd company.

Data Protection Act

• It is the law to keep personal data safe to anyone that handles such data.
• Info that is held is personal but you are allowed to know your own details that are held.
• Personal details can be anything from e-mail addresses to home addresses and passwords to bank details.
• Tax records are kept for years though so taxman can assess income etc.
• Very harsh fine and a prison sentance.

Computer Misuse Act.

• Illegally downloading software and using un liscenced products can result in being sued by the liscence holder.
• Hacking other peoples computers for details and personal information.
• Fine and a prison sentance.

Disibility Discrimination.

• If a website or any other type of interactive media output source is hard to read or if colours contradict each other or are too similair then people with a visually impared disibility are being discriminated against. If there are no subtitles to a tv show then that is discriminating against deaf people. If a placement of a poster or sign is too high that a person in a wheelchair can't see it clearly then that is discriminating against that person. Specially made keyboards have been produced so that people that may be disabled in the hand that can't use a mouse or a normal keyboard sufficently have an alternative which is not discriminating. A website may need an alternative for large text so that a dyslexic or partially blind person can see it sufficently.

Racial Discrimination

• A picture that promotes racism or if it offencive in any way will be classed as racial discrimination etc.

Interlectual Property

• Is about protecting your work in copyright or trademark. It takes effect as soon as you record a design in a tangible form it is automaticaly copyright to you. You are not allowed to copy someones work as it will be copyright to them or a video or image, it is only illegal if you use it for a gain, either in commercial, personal or for currency.