Copyright Protection of Computer Software in the United Kingdom

(Hardback)

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Description

This work analyses the scope of copyright protection for computer software in the United Kingdom and examines challenges for the future. It presents the case for the adoption and application of infringement methodology emanating from the courts in the United States, resulting in a narrower scope of protection than is argued for by many UK academics, practitioners and judges alike. The book makes a careful evaluation of the efficacy of the various prevailing tests for infringement of copyright in software and their progenies, suggesting an improved formula and advocating the utility of limiting doctrines to assist in the determination of substantial similarity of particular non-literal software elements, user interfaces and screen display protection. The monograph also contains a detailed study of reverse engineering, copyright defences, permitted acts, database protection and the copyright-contract interface in the context of computer software, not omitting crucial discussions of the Internet, digital dissemination and the impact of recent treaty and legislative initiatives on British copyright law. It should be a useful resource for practitioners, lecturers and students.

Reviews

This is a well-written and highly useful book. -- Jeremy Phillips, Slaughter and May, London * European Intellectual Property Review *
one of the most attractive features of this book is the lengthy (34-page) Appendix offering a simplified account of the technological detail. Dr Lai's book presents a well written, comprehensive and detailed exposition. There is no question that Dr Lai's book amounts to a definitive resource for intellectual property lawyers, academics and researchers both in the UK and elsewhere. Its usefulness is strengthened by the extensive footnoting which supplements the body text -- Anne Fitzgerald * CTLR *

Author Bio

Stanley Lai is a lawyer with the firm Lee & Lee in Singapore.