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Thomas B. James Esq.

Cokato, Minnesota attorney

Can I own a copyright in a computer program or software?

By Tom James / May 3, 2026
A

Can I own a copyright in a computer program or software?

Yes. A person can own a copyright in the expressive elements of a computer program, such as the source code. Copyright cannot be claimed in an algorithm, however, because an algorithm is an idea, method, system or process. Copyright does not protect ideas, methods, processes and systems. It only protects expression. 

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