CompuServe Messages

Well, it is simple, really, in terms of the law as it stands today. A file format is not patentable or copyrightable, as far as I know. A program that produces it might be copyright, and it might also contain patented algorithms. The same might be true for a program that uses the file format. Obviously, a copyright does not prevent anyone from writing a similar program, but what of the patent? That, of course is up to the courts to decide. Since an algorithm is patentable, the judge will decide if the algorithm was used in the infringing program, and if it wasn't, and the file can be used in a way that does not require the patented algorithm, then the infringment isn't one at all. On the other hand, things get a little more complex when the file format contains code to look at itself and do something with itself. 🙂