Intellectual property rights on software: Patentability of computer programs

Abstract

My final thesis will focus on the topic of patentability of computer programs in all his aspects, with a comparative analysis between Europe and the USA. The first part will focus on the main characteristics of copyright protection and patent protection, providing some important features of both intellectual property rights. A brief description of software will follow, in order to introduce the topic and its history. The work develops with the analysis of the double protection of software, i.e. copyright and patent, by providing specific references to the European and U.S. law, along with case law examples. In this way, the development of software protection through the years will be explained in detail. The last part will focus on the current situation in Europe and in the USA to have a deeper and overall view of the issue, also providing some personal opinions and conclusions.