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Algorithms cannot be copyrighted. What is copyrighted is the creative expression of an algorithm. The variable names, the comments, choosing a for loop vs a whi
by zarzavat 4y ago
Algorithms cannot be copyrighted. What is copyrighted is the creative expression of an algorithm. The variable names, the comments, choosing a for loop vs a while loop, or a ternary operator over an “if”, the order of arguments to a function, architectural decisions, etc.
Copyright is formed when a human makes a choice about equivalent ways of implementing an algorithm.
- fulafel 4y agoAlso this depends on jurisdiction.
- zarzavat 4y agoIs there a jurisdiction that allows purely algorithms to be copyrighted? As far as I know, usually algorithms come under the umbrella of patents (in jurisdictions that allow software patents) rather than copyright. For example, it would interfere with e.g. copyright of scientific/mathematical papers if algorithms were copyrightable, as mathematicians would not be able to extend another mathematician’s ideas without first gaining permission.
- fulafel 4y agoWhat constitutes a copyrightable creative piece varies. (And in a lot of places of course algorithms can't be patented either)