Dual protection offered to computer programs – why the move towards patenting?

Abstract

While copyright law remains a significant area of law providing easily obtained and low cost protection to the copyright owners of e‐commerce‐related computer programs, it is not without its weaknesses. Patent law has in recent times emerged to provide the necessary reinforcements. The emergence of the law of patent, especially in the area of programs that essentially protect business models, is not without its critics. The purpose of this paper is to consider the protection afforded to the owner of an inventive e‐commerce computer program by the laws of copyright and patent. This paper will canvass the strengths and weaknesses of both systems.