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EU Court Adviser Says Software Ideas Can't Be Copyrighted

Posted by timothy on from the perhaps-a-bot-but-not-robotic dept.

bhagwad writes "The EU continues to ooze common sense as a court insists that software functions themselves cannot be copyrighted. Drawing a box or moving cursor are examples. To quote: 'If it were accepted that a functionality of a computer program can be protected as such, that would amount to making it possible to monopolize ideas, to the detriment of technological progress and industrial development.'" Note that this is a "non-binding opinion by Yves Bot, an advocate-general at the Luxembourg-based EU Court of Justice," and that the court "will rule on the case next year."

7 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. Don't worry Apple by GameboyRMH · · Score: 5, Funny

    Rectangles with rounded corners are still safe.

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    1. Re:Don't worry Apple by mr1911 · · Score: 1, Funny

      I love how corporations are, supposedly, people, but noone expects them to act ethically or for the good of the society.

      Define what that means. Are you suggesting that not patenting inventions, or failing to enforce the patents is ethical? If copycats take advantage of your R&D such that you lose market share and have to lay off employees, that is beneficial to society?

      Are you really making the case that people, acting as individuals, are all ethical and act in the good of society?

      Your world must be nice. Delusional, but nice.

      --
      This post comes with a double-your-money-back guarantee!
      Any offense taken to this post is at your sole discretion.
  2. Re:Please let the Americans know this ... by Nerdfest · · Score: 5, Funny

    His name may make them a little suspicious.

  3. Re:Finally! Yes... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    A kink in your armor, you British Scum.

  4. Re:Outrage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Channel Steve Jobs much?

  5. Re:How Much by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are Packers fans in Europe?

  6. Re:Finally! by AmberBlackCat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does the box have rounded corners?