The Method of Operation Principle in Australian Copyright Law

Abstract:     
In American copyright law the method of operation principle plays an important role in limiting both the subsistence of copyright and its infringement. This has been particularly important in determining the proper scope of copyright protection for functional computer programs. In Australian it has sometimes been assumed that there is a method of operation principle but the exact nature of this limitation has not been determined. In this article the following question is posed: Is there a method of operation principle in Australian copyright law andean it provide a limitation to the protection of functional computer programs?

Number of Pages in PDF File: 15

Keywords: Copyright law, method of operation, functionality, computer programs, US, Australia

Accepted Paper Series