Software and Computer-Related Inventions:Protection by Patent and Copyright

Software and Computer-Related Inventions:Protection by Patent and Copyright
Giovanni F. Casucci

ISBN 1–84113–571–2
Hart Publishing

The meaning of the term “software” has varied according to the legal source defining it. In particular, the WIPO1 adopted a definition according to which software could be considered as a set of instructions that, once transferred to a computer readable support, could carry out a function or realise a task, or obtain a particular result by means of a machine that processed the transmitted information. According to the American Copyright Act, software is defined as “a set of statements or instructions to be used directly or indirectly in a computer to bring about certain results”.