SOFTWARE

According to the implementation of the Council Directive 91/250/ECC, computer programs are protected under copyright law.

Computer programs are a set of instructions given to a computer to make it achieve certain results, such as:

• Operation of the computer.
• Basic management of the computer.
• Organization and management of the computer.
• Organization and management of any activity having technical, administrative and accounting character.
• Word processors.
• Organization and management of data banks.
• Video games.

The software can be protected by a:

• copyright if it meets the requirements of creativity and novelty.
• patent if it has one or more algorithms that are technically innovative.

Software programs can be registered:

• In the Special Public Register for Computer Programs
• At the Italian Society for Authors and Publishers (S.I.A.E.) as unpublished works if they have not been disclosed or used yet

Ownership of software programs:

• Italian or foreign author