Apple Computer, Inc. v. Mackintosh Computers Ltd.; Apple Computer, Inc. v. 115778 Canada Inc.

Apple Computer, Inc. v. Mackintosh Computers Ltd.; Apple Computer, Inc. v. 115778 Canada Inc.

Programs embodied in silicon chips are reproductions of the original assembly language programs and thus constitute copyrightable expression under s.3(1) of the Copyright Act; a silicon chip should be treated as a static, encoded medium of machine code instructions rather than a dynamic interchange of electrical impulses, so copying the chip infringes copyright.

Citation
[1990] 2 SCR 209
Parties
Appellant: Mackintosh Computers Ltd.; Appellant: Compagnie d'Électronique Repco Ltée/Repco Electronics Co. Ltd.; Appellant: Maison des Semiconducteurs Ltée/House of Semiconducteurs Ltd.; Appellant: Chico Levy; Appellant: Nat Levy; Appellant: 115778 Canada Inc. (carrying on business as Microcom); Appellant: James Begg; Appellant: 131375 Canada Inc.; Respondent: Apple Computer, Inc.
Court
Supreme Court of Canada
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
21 June 1990
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (copyright) / Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada From the Federal Court of Appeal
Outcome
Appeal dismissed with costs
Legal Topics
Computer Programs, Silicon Chips, Copyright Infringement, Reproduction Versus Translation, Idea Expression Merger, Statutory Interpretation
Source Language
English
Intellectual Property Copyright Law Computer Law Computer Programs Silicon Chips Copyright Infringement Reproduction Versus Translation Idea Expression Merger +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Mackintosh Computers Ltd.

Appellant

Compagnie d'Électronique Repco Ltée/Repco Electronics Co. Ltd.

Appellant

Maison des Semiconducteurs Ltée/House of Semiconducteurs Ltd.

Appellant

Chico Levy

Appellant

Nat Levy

Appellant

115778 Canada Inc. (carrying on business as Microcom)

Appellant

James Begg

Appellant

131375 Canada Inc.

Appellant

Apple Computer, Inc.

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (copyright) / Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada From the Federal Court of Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a computer program originally in written form remains protected by copyright when embodied in silicon chip circuitry
  2. 2 Whether the program in chip form is a reproduction, a translation, a contrivance or an uncopyrightable dynamic electrical process
  3. 3 Whether the idea-expression merger doctrine prevents copyright protection of the chip embodiment

Ratio Decidendi

Programs embodied in silicon chips are reproductions of the original assembly language programs and thus constitute copyrightable expression under s.3(1) of the Copyright Act; a silicon chip should be treated as a static, encoded medium of machine code instructions rather than a dynamic interchange of electrical impulses, so copying the chip infringes copyright.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed with costs

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed with costs
  • Injunction granted (as previously ordered at trial)