Book Description

This report, prepared by the Office of Technological Assessment (OTA) in response to a request from the House Committee on the Judiciary, examines the rapid and complex technological changes and trends in computer software technologies and their possible effects on the nation's intellectual property system. The three policy issues identified are: (1) the appropriate scope of copyright protection for computer software; (2) patent protection for software-related inventions and algorithms and how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will handle these types of applications; and (3) complications facing libraries and commercial and private producers and users of digital information, including computer-based mixed media products. A summary of this report is published separately which contains information found in the first chapter of the complete report. The complete report is divided into six chapters: (1) Summary, Issues, and Options; (2) The Law (patents, copyright, and trade secret law); (3) The International Arena; (4) Software Technology and the Law; (5) Digital Information and Copyright (print and nonprint electronic publishing); and (6) Economics, Intellectual Property and Software. Three appendixes provide a review of selected computer hardware and software initiatives overseas; an analysis of the European Economic Community Treaty and its structure and function; and a list of workshop participants and reviewers. The names of the members of the Congressional Advisory Panel and the OTA project staff are also provided. (ALF).