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Let's take the 'on a computer' portion out of it. If I specify that my company takes orders that only have certain header columns and must have specific format
by mrkstu 6y ago
Let's take the 'on a computer' portion out of it.
If I specify that my company takes orders that only have certain header columns and must have specific format in certain fields on the bill of goods, is that /specification/ (not the full text I wrote, but the facts of the specification itself) copyrightable? Why? I don't see that the abstract facts of a specification of interoperability should receive any kind of copyright.
- ccleve 6y agoAs a matter of public policy, I agree that the specification should not receive protection, but under the law as written by Congress, it does. Thomas's dissent is correct. My comment is about process, not policy.
- monocasa 6y agoUnder the law, they do not receive protection. See Baker v. Selden, which despite it's age is still good law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_v._Selden https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_v._Selden
- ccleve 6y agoNo. Baker v. Selden does not settle the question of APIs and fair use. That is why the Google v Oracle case made it to the Supreme Court.
- monocasa 6y agoIt does say that the facts of a traditional print formatting specification (ie. the specific subtopic we're talking about) is not granted copyright protections.