Borland wins appeal against Lotus over bid to copyright software menu
Article Abstract:
The First US Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a lower-court ruling in a copyright-infringement case between Lotus and Borland. The appeals court ruled that Borland's Quattro Pro spreadsheet package does not infringe on Lotus's copyright for its 1-2-3 spreadsheet package. Lotus believed that Borland had infringed on the copyright by copying menus of commands. However, the court ruled that such menu commands are a 'method of operation,' thereby making them 'uncopyrightable subject matter.' The ruling may push more software developers to look into patent protection, which is more time-consuming and expensive than claiming a copyright. The appeals-court ruling comes at a good time for Borland, which is currently struggling with weak financial results.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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Software makers are pursuing 'pirates' around the globe with fleets of lawyers
Article Abstract:
The computer software industry is stepping up efforts to legally pursue those who pirate copyrighted software packages. Software publishers step up legal efforts on an international level as pirating increases and causes greater losses for the industry. Industry observers say that pirating is significant problem domestically and a huge problem internationally. Estimates indicate that $3 billion a year is lost to pirating in the United States, and $5.3 billion a year is lost in Europe. Software publishers worry about offending their customers, but they worry even more about losing money.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1990
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