Computer Programs

Definition

Computer programs are sets of instructions written in a programming language that direct a computer to perform specific tasks. They are the fundamental building blocks of software, enabling computers to execute a wide range of operations and functionalities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Computer programs are subject to copyright protection, which grants authors exclusive rights over the expression of their work.
2. The 1980 Computer Software Copyright Act extended copyright protection to computer programs, recognizing them as a form of literary work.
3. Copyright law protects the source code and object code of a computer program, but not the underlying ideas, algorithms, or functionality.
4. The fair use doctrine allows for limited use of copyrighted computer programs without permission, such as for research, teaching, or personal use.
5. The development of open-source software has challenged traditional copyright models, with some programs being licensed under permissive terms that allow for greater public access and modification.

Review Questions

• Explain how the 1980 Computer Software Copyright Act impacted the legal status of computer programs.
  • The 1980 Computer Software Copyright Act was a significant change in copyright law that recognized computer programs as a form of literary work, granting them copyright protection. This meant that the source code and object code of a computer program could be protected under copyright, preventing unauthorized copying or distribution. This change in the law helped to establish computer programs as a distinct and valuable form of intellectual property, with authors and creators having exclusive rights over their work.
• Describe how the fair use doctrine applies to the use of copyrighted computer programs.
  • The fair use doctrine allows for the limited use of copyrighted material, including computer programs, without permission from the copyright holder. This includes using a copyrighted program for purposes such as research, teaching, or personal use. However, the fair use doctrine is not a blanket exemption, and the specific circumstances of the use must be evaluated to determine if it falls within the scope of fair use. Factors such as the purpose and character of the use, the amount of the program used, and the impact on the potential market for the program are all considered in determining whether a particular use is fair.
• Analyze how the rise of open-source software has challenged traditional copyright models for computer programs.
  • The development of open-source software has challenged the traditional copyright model for computer programs. Open-source software is often licensed under permissive terms that allow for greater public access, modification, and distribution of the source code. This contrasts with the exclusive rights granted to authors under traditional copyright law. The open-source movement has promoted the idea of collaborative software development and the sharing of knowledge, rather than the strict control of intellectual property. This has led to a re-evaluation of the role of copyright in the software industry and has raised questions about the balance between protecting the rights of creators and fostering innovation and collaboration.

Related terms

Source Code: The human-readable version of a computer program, which is then translated into machine-readable binary code for execution by a computer's processor.

Object Code: The machine-readable binary representation of a computer program, generated from the source code, that can be directly executed by a computer's hardware.

Algorithms: The step-by-step procedures or logic that a computer program follows to solve a problem or accomplish a task.