Copyright protection for computer software: Functionality loses out again

The legal protection afforded to owners of computer programs to prevent unauthorised copying of the functionality of their software applications continues to raise issues and challenges for those advising in the technology sector.

The High Court’s decision in SAS Institute Inc. v World Programming Limited has gone some way to adding practical meat to the bare bones principles of copyright protection given to computer software.

This briefing was originally published in PLC magazine March 2011 and is reproduced with the permission of Practical Law Company Limited.