Ruling may restrict copyrights for software

Article Abstract:

Altai Inc has won a major legal battle against Computer Associates International Inc in a decision that affects the entire computer software industry. Computer companies have been closely watching this case to see what kind of precedent would be set regarding copyright law. Companies are becoming increasingly more competitive and several lawsuits have been filed in an attempt to restrain competition. The legal system must decide when it can draw intellectual property lines and whether copyright protection hinders or helps innovation. The former precedent, known as the Whelan v. Jaslow case, extended legal protection to the actual programmer's coding and to the function or user interface of an application. The new court decision found the Whelan case ruling inadequate.

Prepackaged software, Computer software industry, Software industry, Copyright, Copyrights, Intellectual property, CA Inc., CA, Legal Issues, Lawsuits, Court Cases, Altai Inc., ALTI

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Soviet fiber-optic deal challenges U.S. policy

Article Abstract:

German manufacturer Carl Zeiss Jena has reportedly sold more than 60,000 miles of fiber-optic wire to Moscow, rekindling a debate on export restrictions to the Soviet Union. Citing national security reasons, the United States and British governments have opposed modernization of Soviet telecommunications. Carl Zeiss Jena was based in what used to be East Germany and took advantage of a exemption in the export restrictions for former East Bloc companies. The export restrictions were adopted by the 17-nation Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls, or Cocom. Irate US industrialists say the restrictions are hurting US competitiveness. The strands of wire could be bundled together to make 600 miles of finished cabling.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, International trade, International aspects, Telecommunications systems, United States foreign relations, British foreign relations, Fiber optics, Fiber optics industry, Soviet foreign relations, Soviet Union, Great Britain, Export, Regulation, Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls, Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH

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