Re: Dual-Licensing Linux Kernel with GPL V2 and GPL V3

Michael Poole
2007-06-14T11:53:25Z

Matt Keenan writes:

> Alexandre Oliva wrote:
>>
>> Err, no. Software, per legal definitions in Brazil, US and elsewhere,
>> require some physical support. That's the hard disk in the TiVO DVR,
>> in this case. I don't see how this matters, though.
>>
>>
> I'm now intrigued, where are these (Brazilian and US) definitions
> stipulated, and under what authority?

In the US, 17 USC 101 (the "Definitions" section of the title dealing
with Copyright) makes this definition:

A "computer program" is a set of statements or instructions to be
used directly or indirectly in a computer in order to bring about
a certain result.

As its purpose is to outline the scope of copyright law, this
definition is made under the authority granted to Congress by Article
I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.

Michael Poole