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APIs are not code. They are functional interfaces that code interacts with. The decision to have a function called `sqrt` and put it in a module called `math` i
by hannasanarion 7y ago
APIs are not code. They are functional interfaces that code interacts with. The decision to have a function called `sqrt` and put it in a module called `math` is not creative, and it is definitely not artistic.
- jariel 7y ago"APIs are not code" - most APIs are literally part of the code. "The decision to have a function called `sqrt` and put it in a module called `math` is not creative, and it is definitely not artistic." Yes, it absolutely is, in the sense that literally any arbitrary sentence or gibberish that I write is creative and copyrightable. I can copyright: "Blahdy Blady Blady Blah" right now. API design is as creative as any other part of the code.
- olliej 7y agoYou can’t copyright that - precisely because it is not a significant creative work. The question is an API a significantly creative work, vs the implementation. Historically - because the entire modern world depends on it - APIs were not considered copyrightable, largely because the creativity is embodied by the implementation. You clearly disagree, I am curious if you believe being able to have competing software was detrimental - for example say MS claimed copyright over the XMLHttpRequest API? Or google over search engine query API, etc
- hannasanarion 7y agoAnd colors are part of a painting. Do you believe that colors are copyrightable? Letters are part of a novel, do you think that authors have a copyright to the letters that they use?