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Litigating Copyright Infringement ClaimsRelated to Competing Software Applications
Presented by Robert J. ScottManaging Partner Scott & Scott, LLP
www.ScottandScottllp.com
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Competing Works Litigation:
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant’s software consists, in whole or in part, of the work in which the plaintiff holds a copyright.
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
What is at stake?
• Temporary and Preliminary Injunctive Relief focused on prohibiting development, deployment, licensing or disclosure of the software.• Actual or statutory damages for infringement. • Permanent Injunction prohibiting or limiting development, deployment, and licensing.
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Is the software copyrightable?
• Original literal elements of computer programs and their source code
• Compilations of pre-existing protocols
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
What is needed to establish a claim?• Ownership of a valid copyright
• Factual copying of the code or documentation
• Substantial similarity between the software applications
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Software Copyright Ownership
• Common law copyright
• The Importance of Registration
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Factual Copying
• Direct evidence
• Circumstantial evidence:
Access to copyrighted work before creation of infringing work
Works contain similarities that are probative of copying
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Substantial Similarity : Abstraction – Filtration Method
Levels of abstraction:• Main purpose• Program structure or architecture• Modules• Algorithms and data structures• Source code• Object code
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Substantial Similarity : Abstraction – Filtration Method
Levels of abstraction:• Main purpose• Program structure or architecture• Modules• Algorithms and data structures• Source code• Object code
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
Court Awards
• Permanent Injunctive Relief
• Damages
• Joint and Several Liability
Contact Information
Robert J. Scott, Esq.Managing PartnerScott & Scott, LLP.2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 5000Dallas, Texas 75201
Phone: (800) 596-6176Fax: (800) 529-3292
E-Mail: [email protected]
Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims
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