I would make the argument that what distinguishes APIs from code is that APIs cannot be executed, they are not code because the computer cannot run it. And only

I would make the argument that what distinguishes APIs from code is that APIs cannot be executed, they are not code because the computer cannot run it. And only code is copyrightable, code requires to be executable on some machine. Thus it is clear that only the implementation is copyrightable. That said, at this point, I don't even care about the interpretation of the law, this issue has to just be addressed by the executive branch, truth be told, the rules should be explicitly stated, and I almost feel someone could make a case and sue the government with being so vague, allowing multi billion businesses to get built and a whole industry assuming they had the correct interpretation of the law, when in fact it gets interpreted differently. I don't know if this is possible to sue the government for, but like, how enraging is it if everyone for years clearly thinks they know the rules and all abide by some interpretation of it worth billions of dollars. Clearly the law needed to be revised a long time ago.