GCSE (9-1) Computer Science
Mark Scheme
J277/01: Unit 1.6 CDPA
Question Answer Marks Guidance
1 To protect the intellectual property of individuals or organisations // To make it illegal to copy or distribute work without the owner's permission. 1
2 Any two from:
  • Software/Code
  • Images/Photos/Art
  • Music/Audio
  • Movies/Videos
  • Books/Written text
 2
1 mark per valid example.
3 Making a copy of a commercial software disk to sell to a friend. 1
Examiner Note: Students often confuse CDPA with CMA. Accessing emails is CMA; CDPA is strictly about "copying and intellectual property."
4
  • The work is automatically copyrighted as soon as it is created (1).
  • It is illegal for others to use, scan, or redistribute the drawings without permission (1).
 2
5 Any two pairs from:
  • Right to prevent copying: Take the rival firm to court (1) for replicating code/interface without permission (1).
  • Licensing: Insist the rival pays for a licence (1) to use the intellectual property legally (1).
  • Source Code Control: Restrict anyone from seeing or using the compiled code (1) to prevent reverse engineering (1).
 4
6
  • Copyright: The automatic legal right that prevents others from copying work (1).
  • Licence: A contract/agreement that defines how the user is allowed to use the work (1).
 2
Examiner Note: Both exist together; the licence is the "permission slip" for the copyright.
7* Indicative Content:
Legal (CDPA): Both models are protected by copyright. The Act allows the creator to choose distribution methods.
Proprietary:
  • Benefit: Can charge fees; code is hidden (protects IP).
  • Drawback: Limits user base; users cannot fix bugs.
Open Source:
  • Benefit: Collaborative improvement; wider distribution.
  • Drawback: Cannot easily charge for software; code could be used in rival products.

Marking Levels:
Level 3 (6–8 marks): Thorough knowledge of CDPA. Directly compares both models. Balanced reasoning.
Level 2 (3–5 marks): Reasonable knowledge. Accurate but might focus on one type. Material underdeveloped.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic knowledge. Unsupported assertions. 		8
The "Free" Trap: Do not award marks for defining Open Source simply as "free." It must be defined by access to source code.
OCR 2026