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J277 1.6.1 Computer misuse and copyright

Part 3 of 5 · J277 1.6 · Digital impacts: Essentials

Computer misuse and copyright, with short explanations of the action and permission involved.

Students will:

  • recognise the purposes of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
  • apply authorisation to access and security testing
  • explain copyright permission for copying and adapting work
  • avoid assuming that online visibility or attribution grants reuse rights
  • retrieve the relevant law independently

Inside: 3 text sections, 3 multiple-choice activities, 2 completion activities, 5 written answers. 18 marks. Suggested teaching time: 40–60 minutes. 1 diagram.

Includes a teacher guide with suggested sections, timings and common misconceptions.

Series: J277 1.6 · Digital impacts: Essentials, part 3 of 5.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 13 cells
  • About 45 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 17 Aug 2026
  • Updated 27 Oct 2026

Preview

The whole resource, exactly as a class sees it. Answers and marking are held back.

Computer misuse and copyright

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 prohibits unauthorised access to computer material. It also covers unauthorised access intended to help another offence and unauthorised acts intended to impair a computer, or carried out recklessly, such as damaging data.

A working password is not permission. Security testing must have authorisation and stay within its scope.

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects original creative work, including software, images and music. Copyright arises automatically. Copying, distributing or adapting work may require permission through a licence or the law; being online or crediting its creator does not by itself give permission.

Different actions can involve different laws The Computer Misuse Act concerns unauthorised access and unauthorised harmful computer acts. Copyright law concerns rights over protected creative work. One incident can involve both. Computer Misuse Act Permission to access a systemand carry out computer actions Copyright lawPermission to copy or adaptprotected creative work One incident can involve both.
Fill in the blanks3 marks
Unauthorised computer access is covered by the Answer 1. Copying protected creative work is covered by the Answer 2. Clear Answer 3 is needed before security testing.
  • Computer Misuse Act
  • Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
  • authorisation
  • encryption
  • Data Protection Act
Multiple choice1 mark

A person opens another user's private account without permission but changes no files. Which statement is accurate?

  • ANo law can apply unless a file is deleted
  • BA working password always gives authorisation
  • CUnauthorised access itself can breach the Computer Misuse Act
  • DThe person automatically owns the account's copyright
Written answer2 marks

A former volunteer uses an account without permission to open the club's private records. Name the relevant Act and explain why it applies.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

A business copies a photographer's protected picture into an advert. Its licence permits personal use only. Name the relevant Act and explain the concern.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

A student suspects a weakness in the school network but has no permission to test it. Suggest one responsible next step and explain why it is appropriate.

Students type their answer here.

Multiple choice1 mark

A person buys one copy of a game. What does that purchase normally allow?

  • AUse of that copy under its licence, without automatically owning the copyright
  • BUnlimited uploading of copies for everybody
  • CChanging the copyright owner's name to the buyer's
  • DRemoval of every licence condition

Reuse responsibly

A licence states permitted uses and conditions. A public repository can contain protected code. Check its terms before reuse; code being visible is not the same as permission to do anything with it.

Written answer2 marks

A programmer finds source code in a public repository. Describe one check they should make before copying it into a commercial program and explain why it matters.

Students type their answer here.

Multiple choice1 mark

Code is published online without any stated permission to reuse it. Which conclusion is safest?

  • AIt is automatically open source
  • BThere can be no copyright because it is visible
  • CAny company may copy it without checking
  • DVisibility alone does not establish reuse permission
Written answer2 marks

A creator sells original music. Another person distributes unauthorised copies to potential customers. Explain one possible impact on the creator.

Students type their answer here.

Fill in the blanks2 marks
Name the law most directly relevant to each action. (a) Entering a private account without authorisation: Answer 1 (b) Distributing protected software copies without permission: Answer 2

Review

Identify the action before choosing the law: accessing a system and copying protected work are different actions, even when one incident involves both.