Intellectual property issues in software
By: Steering Committee for Intellectual Property Issues in Software, Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council.
Contributors: Branscomb, Lewis M., 1926-; National Research Council (U.S.). Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications.; National Research Council (U.S.). Computer Science and Telecommunications Board.
Publisher: National Academy Press
Published: 1991
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 111
Subjects: Computer software -- United States.; Computer software industry -- United States.; Copyright -- Computer programs.; Intellectual property -- United States.
Description: This work is based on discussions at a 1989 workshop and forum on intellectual property issues in software. Copyright, patent, and trade secret protections are afforded to computer software; however, given the unique nature of computer software, the debate examines how appropriate these forms of protections are. Copyright law, for instance, makes a distinction between idea and expression; one is not copyrightable and the other is. In computer software, the distinction between idea and expression is blurred. It is not clear if one should treat software as a literary expression or as a technology that does useful work. Likewise, court decisions in the case of patent protection are still evolving. ISBN 0-309-04344-1: $15.00.
Notes: Committee chairman: Lewis M. Branscomb.

Includes bibliographical references.