Software and Copyright

Current copright and patent laws are inapropriate for computer software; their imposition slows


down software development and reduces competition.




From the first computer as we know them, the ENIAC, computer software has become more and more


important.   From thousands of bytes on miles of paper to millions of bytes on a thin piece of tin foil


sandwitched between two pieces of plastic, software has played an important part in the world.   Computers


have most likely played an important role in all our lives, from making math easier with calculators, to


having money on the go with ATM machines.   However, with all the help that has been given to us, we


haven't done anything for software and the people who write it.   Software by nature is completely


defenseless, as it is more or less simply intellectual property, and not a physical thing, thus very


easily copied.   Copied software does not make money for its creators, and thus they charge more for whats


not copied, and the whole industry inflates.


There are two categories of intellectual property.   The first one is composed of writing, music,


and films,which are covered by copyright.   Inventions and innovations are covered by patent.   These two


categories have covered for years   many kinds of work with little or no conflict.   Unfortunately, it is


not that easy when dealing with   such a complex matter as computer software.   When something is typed on


a computer, it is considered writting, as it is all written words and numbers.   However, when executed by


the computer, it functions like an invention, performing a specific task as instructed by the user.


Thus, software falls into both categories (Del Guercio 22-24).   It is generally covered today by


copyright laws, for most mass market software at least.   More advanced software or programming


techniques, however, can be patented, as...