Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/20pdf/18-956_d18f.pdf
Page Number: 62

Cite as:  593 U. S. ____ (2021) 

19 

THOMAS, J., dissenting 

otherwise would improperly override Congress’ determina-
tion that declaring code is copyrightable.12 

IV 
The majority purports to save for another day the ques-
tion whether declaring code is copyrightable.  The only ap-
parent reason for doing so is because the majority cannot 
square  its  fundamentally  flawed  fair-use  analysis  with  a
finding that declaring code is copyrightable.  The majority
has used fair use to eviscerate Congress’ considered policy
judgment.  I respectfully dissent. 

—————— 

12 To be sure, these factors are not necessarily exclusive, but they are
“especially relevant,” Harper, 471 U. S., at 560; the majority identifies no 
other relevant factors; and I can think of none that could overcome the 
overwhelming weight of these key factors.