Tailoring Legal Protection for Computer Software
نویسندگان
چکیده
It became evident by the mid-1970s that intellectual work embodied in new technologies-in particular, computer software-did not fit neatly within the traditional forms of legal protection for intellectual property.' Because of the complexity of these issues, Congress created the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) for the purpose of recommending a national policy that would provide adequate legal protection for the intellectual work embodied in new technologies while ensuring public access to those technologies.2 The Commission conducted hearings and received expert reports beginning in May 1976. On July 31, 1978, CONTU recommended that full copyright protection be extended to all forms of computer software.3 Congress implemented this recommendation in amendments to federal copyright law enacted in 1980. 4 The computer industry has undergone dramatic change in the nine years since CONTU issued its recommendations. 5 In 1978, fewer than 200,000 microcomputers (each costing more than $1000) were in use in the United States.6 By the end of 1986, this number had increased to
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