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It’s more complex than that. Copyright only forbids copying. Truly independent arrival at the same work isn’t actionable. So if the only overlap in code is this
by rhino369 7y ago
It’s more complex than that. Copyright only forbids copying. Truly independent arrival at the same work isn’t actionable. So if the only overlap in code is this sort of coincidental or “there is really only one way to do this” situations, you shouldn’t be found liable.
Think of it like I Want To Hold Your Hand by the Beatles. I bet 500 songs used the line “I feel happy inside,” but it’s not copyright infringement.
But if steal half the lyrics, it’s infringement. Same would be true for APIs, if they are found to be copyrightable.
- jayd16 7y ago> “there is really only one way to do this” situations In the context of building API compatibility, there is indeed only one way to do this so this ruling would mean any attempt at compatibility is a copyright violation.