Court has ruled OK Similar Software Products Determination must be made as to whether only ideas and functions were copied or whether the copyrighted expression of the ideas and functions was copied. Whelan Associates vs. Jaslow Dental Laboratory. Ruled that a program similar in structure and performance, although written in another language infringed the copyright on first program. Plains Cotton Co-op Assoc. Ruled that only literal coping of code was infringement.
Reasonable interpretation lies between two decisions.
First, identify purpose of program, remove parts in public domain. Then compare the remaining parts of two programs to see how similar they are. Issue is whether look and feel can be copyrighted. Rulings inconsistent Main argument in favor of protecting a user interface is that it is a major creative effort. Other side, social benefits.