Current copright and patent laws are inapropriate for computer software; their down software development and reduces competition. From the first computer as we know them, the ENIAC, computer software hasbecome more and more important. From thousands of bytes on miles of paper to millions of bytes on a thin pieceof tin foil sandwitched between two pieces of plastic, software has played an important part in theworld. Computers have most likely played an important role in all our lives, from making math easier withcalculators, to having money on the go with ATM machines. However, with all the help that has beengiven to us, we haven't done anything for software and the people who write it. Software by nature iscompletely defenseless, as it is more or less simply intellectual property, and not a physical thing,thus very easily copied. Copied software does not make money for its creators, and thus theycharge more for whats not copied, and the whole industry inflates. There are two categories of intellectual property. The first one is composed ofwriting, music, and films,which are covered by copyright. Inventions and innovations are covered bypatent. These two categories have covered for years many kinds of work with little or no conflict. Unfortunately, it is not that easy when dealing with such a complex matter as computer software. Whensomething is typed on a computer, it is considered writting, as it is all written words and numbers. However,when executed by the computer, it functions like an invention, performing a specific task as instructed by theuser. Thus, software falls into both categories (Del Guercio 22-24). It is generally coveredtoday by copyright laws, for most mass market software at least. More advanced software orprogramming techniques, however, can be patented, as they are neither obvious nor old. This resultsin many problems which I will go into later. Copyrights last the lifet...
