HOW TO PROTECT SOFTWARE FROM PIRACY??

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?

Copyright is a Legal protection which will give exclusive ownership rights and control over the brain creations like lyrics, scripts, musical notes, stories, sound recording, artistic works and cinematographic work, etc.

HOW TO PROTECT SOFTWARE?    

Nevertheless Computer Software or programme can also be registered as a ‘literary work’ (As per Section 2 (o) of the Copyright Act, 1957) which includes computer programmes, tables and compilations, including computer databases. ‘Source Code’ and “Object Code” have also to be supplied along with the application for registration of copyright for software products.

The written software code can be protected under copyright and design elements as well as interfaces can also be protected under copyright. This will give legal right to protect your software from third party exploitation.

Website usually consists of different rudiments which may be copyrightable subject matter that falls within any one of the classes of works set forth in Section 13 of Copyright Act, 1957. The component parts of website can be in different form of digital files such as text, tables, computer programmes, compilations including computer databases (“literary works”); photographs, paintings, diagram, map, chart or plan (“artistic works”); works consisting of music and including graphical notation of such work (“musical works”); “sound recordings” and “cinematograph films”.

An App is a complete, self-contained computer program that is designed to perform specific tasks. Usually called 'Apps' for short, application programs are the most familiar forms of software and come in a very wide variety of types may also be registered as a computer program under literary works as provided under Section 2(o) of the Copyright Act, 1957. For this purpose applicant is required to submit an application for registration under software category, accompanied by the source and object code as provided under Rule 70 (5) of the Copyright Rules 2013.

It is important to note that the registration will cover any screen displays generated by that program, provided that the computer program (code) generating the screen display is as submitted. Mere snapshots of screen displays of an app are not eligible for copyright protection.

GOVERNING TREATIES:

Copyright protection is formality-free in countries party to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (the Berne Convention), which means that protection does not depend on compliance with any formalities such as registration or deposit of copies. Copyright protection of computer software is established in most countries and harmonized by international treaties to that effect.

VALIDITY OF REGISTRATION :

You can enjoy exclusive ownership rights over your products for 60+ years.

COMMERCIALIZATION :

You can sell or assign your product for lump-sum amount

You can rent or license your product for lump-sum amount

CONCLUSION : We have abundance of opportunities under IPR to protect our Intellect. Let’s make full use of those opportunities thereby preventing others by copying our own creations.

 

Shanthilekshmi,

Le Intelligensia law Fimr

http://leintelligensia.com/
+91 9941993399