IPA IP 2021 Question 7
A question IPA Japan published in 令和3年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問7, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.
Which of the following lists all and only the items that can be subject to protection under the Copyright Act?
Explanation
A and B, the free software and the manual — both are creative expressions, which copyright protects; a programming language and an algorithm are not.
Japan's Copyright Act protects works, creative expressions of thoughts or sentiments, and lists programs among them. It states, however, that protection of a program does not extend to the programming language, the rules (such as protocols) or the algorithm used to write it: these are ideas or means, not expression.
- •A: free software is still a program, and a work. Being free to obtain does not waive copyright; the author sets the terms of use in a licence.
- •B: an operation manual is a written work, protected like any other text.
- •C: a programming language is excluded by the Act.
- •D: an algorithm is excluded too; it may be protected by a patent if it is an invention, but not by copyright.
Answer (a)
Why not others:
- •(b) — adds D, an algorithm, which the Act excludes, and leaves out the manual
- •(c) — adds C, a programming language, which the Act excludes, and leaves out the free software
- •(d) — lists exactly the two things copyright does not protect
Key rule: Copyright protects the expression (source code, object code, manuals), whether the software is free or paid; the programming language, protocols and algorithms behind a program are not protected by it.
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This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.