Does copyright law cover open-source software?

Yes, copyright law applies to open-source software. According to the US Copyright Office, copyright applies to “original works of authorship.” This includes writings, music, pictures, software, and any other creative works that are considered an “expression” of an idea. Open-source software is a type of software for which the source code is available to the public for use or modification. Because open-source software is considered a creative work, it is eligible for copyright protection. In Arizona, copyrights are automatically in effect as soon as the work is created and fixed in a tangible form. This means that as soon as the software code is written and saved, it is protected under copyright law. In addition to copyright protection, open-source software is often also protected by specific license agreements. These agreements set out the terms of use and redistribution of the software, and are designed to protect the interests of the creator. All software, including open-source software, is subject to national and international copyright laws. In Arizona, the protections provided by copyright law are the same for open-source software as they are for any other type of software.

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