[Discuss] can you copyright an API?

[gaf at blu.org (Jerry Feldman)]

On 05/07/2012 02:52 PM, Tom Metro wrote:
> Tom Metro wrote:
>> Mostly is seems this is coming down to the issue of whether you can
>> patent an API - the names of classes, methods, and their arguments.
> http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/05/jury-rules-google-violated-copyright-law-google-moves-for-mistrial.ars
>
>   ...a San Francisco jury issued a verdict today that the company broke
>   copyright laws when it used Java APIs to design the system. ... But
>   the jury couldn't reach agreement on a second critical issue--whether
>   Google had a valid "fair use" defense when it used the APIs. Google
>   has asked for a mistrial based on the incomplete verdict, and that
>   issue will be briefed later this week.
They also just transitioned into the patent phase. There is a big issue
on allowing Jonathan Shwartz to testify.

-- 
Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
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