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⚖️ Paper 1 · Topic 5: Impacts of Technology
5.2b Copyright & Intellectual Property
Edexcel 1CP2 · GCSE Computer Science · ~12 min read · 🔒 Pro
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Copyright and Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creative work produced by individuals or organisations — including software, music, films, books, images, and databases. IP law protects creators' rights to their work.

Copyright is the main form of IP protection for digital content. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA), creators have exclusive rights to their work automatically — no registration needed.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

  • Protects: software, music, films, images, written content, databases
  • Lasts: lifetime of creator plus 70 years
  • Automatic: no registration needed in the UK
  • Gives the creator exclusive rights to: copy, distribute, perform, adapt, or sell the work
  • Others need a licence to legally use copyrighted material

Software Licences

When you buy or download software, you are buying a licence to use it — not ownership of the software itself.

Licence TypeDescriptionExample
Proprietary/Closed sourcePaid licence. Source code is hidden. Cannot modify or redistribute. Terms in EULA.Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop
Open sourceSource code freely available. Can view, modify, redistribute (usually free)Linux, Python, LibreOffice, VLC Media Player
FreewareFree to use but source code is NOT available. Cannot modify.Skype (basic)
SharewareTry before you buy — limited version free, pay to unlock full featuresWinZip, many games (demo versions)
Public domainCopyright expired or waived. Anyone can use, modify, or sell.Classic literature, some old software
Creative CommonsFlexible licence — creator specifies what others can and can't doWikipedia content, some photos

Open Source vs Proprietary

FeatureOpen SourceProprietary
CostUsually freeOften paid
Source codeAvailable to allHidden (closed)
Can modify?YesNo
Can redistribute?Usually yesNo
SupportCommunity-basedOfficial company support
SecurityMany eyes can spot bugs — but also vulnerabilitiesOnly company sees code — can hide both flaws and malware

Copyright Infringement

Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses copyrighted material without permission or a valid licence. Examples:

  • Downloading pirated music, films, or software
  • Using a software licence beyond its permitted number of users (e.g. installing on 5 computers when licence allows 1)
  • Copying images from the internet and using them commercially without permission
  • Sharing proprietary software with others without a licence

Penalties include civil claims (damages) and criminal prosecution (fines, up to 10 years in prison for serious piracy).

Exam tip: Know the difference between freeware (free but closed source), open source (free + modifiable), shareware (try then buy), and proprietary (paid, closed). Edexcel often asks about specific scenarios — apply the right licence type.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
  • Confusing freeware (free, closed source) with open source (free, source available)
  • Thinking copyright must be registered — it's automatic in the UK
  • Saying 'buying software' gives you ownership — you buy a LICENCE, not the software
  • Forgetting that open source does NOT mean completely free from all restrictions — licences vary
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Worksheet — 5.2b Copyright & IP

8 Edexcel-style questions · instantly marked

Q1What does the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 protect, and for how long?[2]
✅ Mark scheme
Protects creative works such as software, music, films, images, written content [1]; for the creator's lifetime plus 70 years [1].
Q2Explain the difference between open source and proprietary software.[4]
✅ Mark scheme
Open source: source code is freely available [1]; anyone can view, modify, and redistribute it, usually for free [1]; Proprietary: source code is hidden/closed [1]; users pay for a licence and cannot modify or redistribute the software [1].
Q3What is 'freeware'? How is it different from 'open source'?[2]
✅ Mark scheme
Freeware is software that is free to use but the source code is not available/cannot be modified [1]; open source is free AND the source code is available, allowing users to modify and redistribute it [1].
Q4A user downloads a pirated copy of an expensive video editing program. State one law this breaks and explain how.[2]
✅ Mark scheme
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 [1]; the software is a creative work protected by copyright — downloading it without a valid licence (pirating) breaches the creator's exclusive rights [1].
Q5Give one advantage and one disadvantage of open source software for a small business.[2]
✅ Mark scheme
Advantage: free to use/no licence cost, can be customised to suit the business needs [1]; Disadvantage: no official support — if something goes wrong you may need to rely on community forums; may require technical expertise to modify [1].
Q6What is the difference between 'shareware' and 'freeware'?[2]
✅ Mark scheme
Shareware is software you can try for free (limited version or time period) but must pay to access full features or continue using [1]; freeware is completely free to use with no payment required [1].
Q7Explain what 'intellectual property' means and why it is important to protect it.[3]
✅ Mark scheme
Intellectual property refers to creative work (software, music, written content, etc.) produced by individuals or organisations [1]; protecting IP ensures creators are fairly rewarded for their effort/investment [1]; without protection, others could profit from their work without compensation, reducing the incentive to create [1].
Q8Give one advantage and one disadvantage of proprietary software compared to open source.[2]
✅ Mark scheme
Advantage: professional technical support is available; software is typically tested and polished before release [1]; Disadvantage: costs money to licence; users cannot see or modify the source code [1].
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Mini Test — Copyright & IP

Timed exam-style test.

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