Does copyright law cover open-source software?

Yes, copyright law does cover open-source software in Texas. This is because open-source software is still subject to the same copyright laws as any other type of software. In order for a copyrighted work to be eligible for copyright protection, it must be an original work of authorship. When open-source software is created, the creator holds the copyright, just as if they had written the software themselves. Once a software is copyrighted, the copyright holder can choose to license it as open-source software. This means that the software can be shared, modified, and redistributed without fear of copyright infringement. The copyright holder still holds exclusive rights to the work and will be entitled to certain royalties if the software is used commercially. However, in Texas, open-source software can be used without the permission of the copyright holder as long as it is for a non-commercial purpose or is used within an educational institution. The exception also applies to any software created by a government employee, which is not subject to any copyright protection. In conclusion, copyright law does cover open-source software in Texas and the copyright holder still holds exclusive rights to the software. However, using open-source software without permission for non-commercial purposes or in an educational setting is usually allowed.

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