Protection of Computer Programs--A Dilemma.
William H. Carnahan · Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 1972
Computer programs, as legitimate original inventions or creative written expressions, are entitled to patent or copyright protection. Understanding the legal implications of this concept is crucial to both computer programmers and their employers in our increasingly computer-oriented or technological way of life. The topics discussed in this report include the following: Background of copyrights and patents; Copyrights and patents distinguished; Assignments, licenses and magazine rights; The computer industry, patents and copyrights; Employer-employee relations; Copyright and the programmer; Patentability of computer programs; and Third generation protection.