The scope of computer program protection after SAS: are we closer to answers?
Daniel J. Gervais, Estelle Derclaye · Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham) · 2012
of the software directive is more cryptic but probably can be interpreted to mean that the owner of the copyright in a computer program may not prevent a licensee from determining the ideas and principles which underlie the elements of the program so long as the user does not infringe the copyright owner's exclusive rights.