What is a software copyright?

A software copyright is an intellectual property right that protects the creator of a computer program from the unauthorized use of their work. It grants exclusive rights to the copyright owner, allowing them to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the software in any way they choose. A copyright also provides moral rights of recognition to the creator. Software copyright is regulated under federal copyright law in the United States. In Washington, the Copyright Act of 1976 provides protection for computer programs, as long as it is an original work of authorship of a fixed, tangible medium. Copyright protection of software begins when the software is created, and it lasts until 70 years after the original author’s death. In order to copyright a software program, the creator must register it with the U.S. Copyright Office. This process requires the creator to provide the title, the author’s name, the year created, and a description of the software. Once the software is registered, it is protected by the Copyright Act and any unauthorized use of the software will be a violation of the copyright owner’s rights.

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What is a software copyright?

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