Before, the program could be used to do those specific jobs; the program is in the text format that is just like an essay with strange form. Therefore, when something is typed on a computer, it is considered writing, as it is all written words and numbers. However, when executed by the computer, it functions like an invention, performing a specific task as instructed by the user. Thus, software falls into both categories (Salone 25). .
As illustrate above, software can either fall into the categories of copyrights or patent laws; therefore, there is no perfect protection for software and its programmers. "Copyright law in the US is derived from English copyright law (Statute of Anne) and common law," which "Congress subsequently enacted the Copyright Act [in] 1790 and major revisions to it in 1831, 1870, 1909, and 1976" (Doty). "Most copyrights in works published after January 1, 1978 are good for the life of the author plus 50 years," and which can be renewed (Salone 57-58). "Patents last only 17 years, but cannot be renewed" (Borenstein 22). With technology advancing so quickly, it is not necessary to maintain the protection of the software for the length of the copyright, but also, it is sometimes necessary to renew them (Del Guercio 22-24) the tenth sequel of Final Fantasy in a video game series, for instance. With copyrighted material, programmers are able to write software similar to others', so long as the programming code is their own, and not borrowed from the others (Del Guercio 22-24). This keeps the industry competitive, and thus results in better software. With patents, on the other hand, no one is allowed to create software that performs similar functions (Del Guercio 22-24). For example, AutoCAD and TrueSpace 2 are two 3D modeling programs. TrueSpace 2 would be a violation of patent laws because it performs a very similar task to AutoCADs, which came first. Luckily for us, CAD programs are not new, they have been around for more than ten years, and no one thought to patent them.