BASIC INFORMATION
Computer program is a copyright work - collection of instructions that performs a specific task when executed by a computer.
A computer requires programs to function and typically executes the program's instructions in a central processing unit.
Most application software is distributed in a form that includes only executable files. If the source code were included it would be useful to a user, programmer or a system administrator, any of whom might wish to study or modify the program.
MOST POPULAR OBJECTS:
1. Source code
2. Mobile applications
3. Games
4. Automated databases
5. CRM systems
6. Web-sites
7. Landing pages
8. System software
9. Operating systems
10. Device drivers
11. Utilities
12. Malicious software
OBJECTIVES OF LEGAL PROTECTION:
1. Recognition of authorship throughout the world.
2. Prohibition of unfair competition around the world (in all member countries of the Berne Convention).
3. Protection of commercial using of technology, process, methodology.
4. The possibility of capitalization and monetization.
5. Legalization of the use of work of science by the author.
Registration period
of the computer program: depends on rules of Copyright Office
Validity of the copyright certificate:
during the life of author and 50 years after his death.
No need for prolongation.
As an author (creator, developer) could be only private individual (physical person).
Owner (rightsholder): private individual (physical person), legal entity or their combinations
In the case of violations - for example when a violator is using a copyright to sell counterfeit goods or blatantly violating copyright law - courts may issue penalties.
In certain circumstances copyright infringement can amount to a criminal offence as well.
Scope of protection: collection of computer instructions, possibly with comments, written using a human-readable programming language, usually as ordinary text. The source code is often transformed by an assembler or compiler into binary machine code understood by the computer.