Definition

Copyright protects original works of authorship (literature, music, software, photography, architecture, databases). Under French and European law, protection arises automatically upon creation, with no filing required, unlike a trademark or a patent.

Two components

• Economic rights: reproduction, communication to the public, adaptation. Transferable and time-limited (70 years after the author’s death in France)
• Moral rights: paternity, integrity, disclosure, withdrawal. Perpetual, inalienable and imprescriptible

Software specifics

Software is protected by copyright (and not by patents, except in some jurisdictions). This includes source code, architecture and documentation. See software IP protection.

Best practices

• Build dated proof of authorship (i-DEPOT, copyright office, blockchain, registered mail)
• Govern assignments through precise written contracts
• Vigilance on open source contributions in software
• Centralise contracts and proof in an IP management tool