Court Clarifies Copyright "Owner" of Computer Programs

The meaning of the term "owner" in a federal law that provides an exception to copyright protection for computer programs is not limited to the title holder, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. Clarifying an issue that has split at least two courts in the circuit, the panel said that formal title is "not an absolute prerequisite," for an alleged infringer to assert an affirmative defense.