What is a Software Copyright?

Software copyright is a form of legal protection granted to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including software programs. This protection is applied to the software’s source code and object code, ensuring that the creator maintains control over their work. In this article, we are going to discuss Software Copyright.

What is Software Copyright?

Software copyright is the legal way to protect software code, which is meant to be read by machines. This protection helps software developers and owners prevent others from copying or using their work without permission. When considering how to protect software, it’s important to understand whether it is copyrighted or trademarked. Copyright law focuses on protecting intellectual property where the idea itself is the product, such as the text in a book rather than the physical book. A patent protects an idea that must be made into a physical product to have value, while a trademark protects symbols or names that represent a brand but are not the product itself.

Software, being a relatively new concept, didn’t initially fit neatly into any of these categories. Initially, U.S. law treated software source code like blueprints. However, by 1974, this view began to change. After a commission reevaluated this stance and further definitions and court cases in the 1980s, software was eventually recognized as a literary work under copyright law. This decision clarified that software can indeed be copyrighted, providing a clear legal framework for its protection

Understanding Software Copyrights

The main goal of software copyright is to prevent unauthorized copying, distribution, and modification of software. It gives software developers and companies the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display their work, allowing them to earn revenue and reinvest in further development.

In many jurisdictions, including the United States, copyright is automatic upon creation and fixation in a tangible medium of expression. This means that as soon as software is written and saved in some form, it is protected by copyright without the need for registration. However, registering a copyright can provide additional legal benefits, including the ability to sue for statutory damages.

The duration of software copyright varies by jurisdiction. In the U.S., it lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years for individual works, or 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation for works made for hire.

Copyright owners can enforce their rights against unauthorized uses in civil court. Infringement can lead to damages awards, injunctions, and in severe cases, criminal penalties.

How to Copyright Your Software?

• Create Your Software: First, you need to create your software. Copyright does not protect ideas alone; it protects the expression of those ideas, which in the case of software, is the code.
• Fixation: Ensure your software is fixed in a tangible medium. This means that the software must be saved in some form where it can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated. This could be on a computer hard drive, USB stick, CD-ROM, or even printed out as source code on paper.
• Documentation: Prepare comprehensive documentation of your software. This includes writing up detailed descriptions, creating diagrams of the software architecture, and annotating your source code. This documentation can be crucial in proving the originality of your work if infringement ever becomes an issue.
• Add Copyright Notice: Place a copyright notice on your software and its documentation. The copyright notice should include the copyright symbol (©), the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright owner, for example: © 2023 John Doe.
• Register the Copyright
  • United States: While copyright protection is automatic once your work is created and fixed in a tangible medium, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional legal benefits, such as the ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees.
  • Application: You can apply for copyright registration online through the eCO (Electronic Copyright Office) system. Fill out the application form for copyright registration, pay the required fee, and submit a copy of your software for deposit.
  • International: For those outside the U.S., check with your national copyright office or intellectual property authority to find out the specific steps and requirements for copyright registration in your country.

How Software is Protected Under Copyright Law?

• Automatic Protection: Right when software is created and saved in some way (like on a computer), it automatically gets copyright protection. This means that the creator doesn’t need to do anything special to get this protection, although registering the copyright can offer extra legal benefits.
• What’s Protected: Copyright law covers the specific way the software is written, including the code and any unique elements of the user interface. It does not protect the general ideas or methods the software uses.
• Exclusive Rights: The copyright gives the creator the right to control how the software is copied, shared, and used. Only the copyright owner, or people who have permission through a license, can legally do these things.
• Licensing: Creators can give others permission to use their software through licenses. These agreements set rules on how the software can be used, which can vary from being very strict to very open.

What is Software Copyright Infringement?

Software copyright infringement is defined as the unauthorised use, distribution, or modification of software protected by copyright law. This includes actions like as copying software without permission, sharing it with others without legal licencing, distributing fake copies, and creating copies of it without the consent of the original copyright owners. Infringement of software copyright infringes the exclusive rights assigned to the copyright owner under intellectual property laws and can result in legal consequences such as civil litigation, monetary damages, and injunctions.

How to Detect Software Copyright Infringement?

• Code Analysis Tools: Software developers and copyright holders can utilise code analysis tools to identify similarities between their original source and potentially infringing code.
• Digital Watermarking: Some software companies use digital watermarks or unique IDs in their program code
• Automated Monitoring Systems: Companies can use automated monitoring systems to scan the internet for instances of unauthorised distribution or sharing of their software.
• Registration with Copyright Office: Registering software with the copyright office creates a public record of ownership and can help establish legal evidence of copyright violation in a case of action.
• Manual Investigation: In conditions where automated technologies are insufficient, manual investigation by legal professionals or detectives may be essential to acquire proof of copyright infringement.

Difference between a Software Patent and Software Copyright

Software Patent	Software Copyright
A software patent includes the functionality, methods, algorithms, or processes of a software invention.	Software copyright protects the expression of ideas, such as the source code, object code, and user interfaces of software.
Software patents normally have a restricted lifespan of roughly 20 years from the date of filing the patent application.	Software copyrights are often valid for a long time(70+ years).
Registration is required.	Registration is not required.
Infringement occurs when someone manufactures, uses, sells, or imports the patented invention without permission.	Infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is copied, distributed, performed, or shown without permission.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding software copyright is essential for anyone involved in creating or using software. This legal protection ensures that creators can control the use, distribution, and modification of their software, safeguarding their intellectual property. Whether in the United States, India, or elsewhere, copyright occurs automatically once software is fixed in a tangible medium, but registering it provides substantial legal benefits, including the ability to claim damages in court. By following proper copyright registration processes, software developers can enhance their protection and efficiently enforce their rights against unauthorized use. As technology evolves, staying informed about software copyright remains crucial for protecting your digital creations and ensuring they are used as intended.

Frequently Asked Questions on Software Copyright – FAQs

What are examples of software copyright?

• Operating Systems: Like Microsoft Windows or macOS.
• Application Software: Such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop.

What software is protected by copyright?

Your actual software and app source code may be protected under copyright law,. The concepts and inventions related to software may be protected under patent law. Copyright Law defines computer programs as literary work, and as such is protectable under copyrights.

What is patent in software?

A software patent is a patent that protects computer software. Software patents can cover a stand-alone computer software program, a mobile device app, or software that is integrated into a mechanical device. In order for software to be patentable, it must meet the same requirements of any other type of invention.

How long does software copyright last?

The duration of software copyright protection varies depending on the country and the specific laws governing copyright. However, in general, software copyright lasts for a several decades.