Legal Considerations in Computer-Assisted Testing, Counseling and Guidance.

The question at hand is: Can a computer program be copyrighted, patented, or protected as a trade secret? All three protective methods are examined, with special attention paid to the advantages and disadvantages of each pertinent to computer program protection. The scope of the protection and relevant case law are considered. The paper concludes that laws relative to the protection of computer programs are in a state of flux for two reasons: (1) the uniqueness of the computer and its programs in light of the currently accepted protection methods; and (2) the lack of case law in point. (TL)