Question

Which of the following is true about protection of computer software?

A) Copyright laws protect both the actual code and the idea embodied in the code.
B) Patent laws protect both the actual code and the idea embodied in the code.
C) Patent laws protect the actual code, while copyright laws protect the idea.
D) Copyright laws protect the actual code, while patent laws protect the idea.
E) License protects both the actual code and the idea embodied in the code.

Answer 1

Copyright laws protect the actual code of software as a literary work, while patent laws may protect the underlying ideas or methods that the software utilizes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the protection of computer software, it's important to understand the differences between copyright and patent laws. Copyright laws are intended to protect original works of authorship such as literary, dramatic, musical, and certain other intellectual works. This would extend to software in the sense that the actual code is protected as a literary work. On the other hand, patent laws may protect inventions, which can include the methods and processes embodied in software, effectively protecting the ideas behind the code.

Therefore, the correct answer to your question is: D) Copyright laws protect the actual code, while patent laws protect the idea.