Philosophy of Computer Science

Can Programs Be Copyrighted or Patented?

(Boldface items are particularly useful, important, or interesting.)

Last Update: 27 March 2007

Note: NEW or UPDATED material is highlighted


NEW Rapaport's implementation chart

  1. Mooers, Calvin N. (1975), "Computer Software and Copyright", Computing Surveys 7(1) (March): 45-72.

  2. Bender, David (1985-1986), "Protection of Computer Programs: The Copyright/Trade Secret Interface", University of Pittsburgh Law Review 47: 907-958.

  3. Chisum, Donald S. (1985-1986), "The Patentability of Algorithms", University of Pittsburgh Law Review 47: 959-1022.

  4. Newell, Allen (1985-1986), "Response: The Models Are Broken, the Models Are Broken", University of Pittsburgh Law Review 47: 1023-1031.

  5. Samuelson, Pamela (1989), "Why the Look and Feel of Software User Interfaces Should Not Be Protected by Copyright Law", Communications of the ACM 32(5) (May): 563-572.

  6. Samuelson, Pamela (1990), "Should Program Algorithms Be Patented?", Communications of the ACM 33(8) (August): 23-27.

  7. Samuelson, Pamela (1991), "Digital Media and the Law", Communications of the ACM 34(10) (October): 23-28.

  8. Forester, Tom; & Morrison, Perry (1994), Computer Ethics: Cautionary Tales and Ethical Dilemmas in Computing; Second Edition (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press).

  9. Koepsell, David R. (2000), The Ontology of Cyberspace: Philosophy, Law, and the Future of Intellectual Property (Chicago: Open Court).

  10. Johnson, Deborah G. (2001), Computer Ethics (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall).

  11. Samuelson, Pamela (2003), "Unsolicited Communications as Trespass?" [PDF], Communications of the ACM 46(10) (October): 15-20.

  12. Klemens, Ben (2006), "Private Numbers", Chronicle of Higher Education (3 February): B2; excerpted from his Math You Can't Use: Patents, Copyright, and Software (Brookings Institution Press).

  13. NEW
    Crichton, Michael (2006),
    "This Essay Breaks the Law", New York Times (19 March): WK13.



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