The Limitations on Protection as Program Works Under Japanese Copyright Law

Michigan Yearbook of International Studies, Vol. 8, p. 25, 1987

23 Pages Posted: 23 Jul 2009

See all articles by Dennis S. Karjala

Dennis S. Karjala

Arizona State University College of Law

Date Written: 1987

Abstract

The June 1985 amendments to the Japanese Copyright Act constitute a detailed statutory approach to problems of computer program protection. By setting specific limitations on the scope of copyright protection in program works, the Act appears to define the line between protected expression and unprotected ideas in computer programs. These limitations on copyright protection are potentially of great significance to a number of important problems arising out of the decision to protect programs under copyright law.

While computer operating systems should be treated generally as program works under the Japanese Copyright Act, the statutory limitation that copyright protection in program works does not extend to program languages implies that operating system programs can be copied to the extent necessary to insure compatibility with application programs written for that operating system. To do otherwise would extend copyright protection to the program language defined by the operating system, contravening the express statutory limitation. Microcode is not protected at all. Even if it is protected as a program work, it can probably be copied to the extent necessary to design and build digital logic circuitry presenting an identical hardware appearance to the outside programmer. Not to permit such copying would have the effect of giving copyright protection to the program language defined and created by the chip’s microcode, and is explicitly denied by the Act. Protection of program works does not extend to algorithms used in their production. This implies that the organization and structure of a program are in the public domain, a conclusion supported by policy considerations.

Keywords: Japanese Copyright Act, Computer Program, Copyright

Suggested Citation

Karjala, Dennis S., The Limitations on Protection as Program Works Under Japanese Copyright Law (1987). Michigan Yearbook of International Studies, Vol. 8, p. 25, 1987, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1438159

Dennis S. Karjala (Contact Author)

Arizona State University College of Law ( email )

Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
United States
480-965-4010 (Phone)
480-965-2427 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.public.asu.edu/~dkarjala

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