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The Copyrightability Of Nonliteral Elements Of Computer Programs, Julian Velasco
The Copyrightability Of Nonliteral Elements Of Computer Programs, Julian Velasco
Journal Articles
The goal of copyright law is "[t]o promote the Progress of Science and Useful Arts." It is premised on the assumption that "encourag[ing] . . . individual effort by personal gain is the best way to advance public welfare through the talents of authors . . ." In order to "promote progress," however, copyright law must respond to changes in technology.
One issue that has been problematic for the courts is whether and to what extent the nonliteral elements of computer programs are copyrightable. Nonliteral elements are aspects of the computer program other than the written code itself. Although it …