Does copyright law cover open-source software?

In Oklahoma, copyright law does cover open-source software. Open-source software is software that has been made available to the public so that anyone can access, study, use, and modify it without having to pay a licensing fee. This software can be distributed for free or sold at a reduced cost. Copyrights exist to protect the original creators of works and to prevent others from copying, making use of, or profiting off the work without permission. Under copyright law, the original creator of the software or any other work is given exclusive rights to do things such as make copies, display the work, or make money from it. Because open-source software still has an author or creator, even though anyone can use and modify it, it is covered by copyright law. For instance, the author has exclusive rights to modify and distribute the software. If someone else uses the open-source software without the permission of the creator, they could be in violation of copyright law. In Oklahoma, copyright law does provide protection for open-source software. As with any other type of software, users must ensure they are following the terms of use established by the original author. If someone uses or modifies the software without the permission of the author, they could be infringing upon the creator’s copyright.

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