SAS Institute Inc v World Programming Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 1482 (21 November 2013)

Replication of software functionality and use of manuals as technical specification do not constitute copyright infringement, as copyright protects only the expression of intellectual creation, not ideas, functionality, or combinations/selections dictated by technical function. The elements copied by WPL from SAS Manuals were not the form of expression of the intellectual creation of the authors of the manuals and thus not protected.

Citation: [2013] EWCA Civ 1482
Parties: Appellant: SAS Institute Inc; Respondent: World Programming Limited
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 21 November 2013
Procedural Posture: Copyright Infringement and Breach of Contract / Appeal From High Court, Chancery Division
Outcome: Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics: Copyright Protection of Software Functionality, Expression Vs Ideas, Scope of Copyright in Manuals, European Directives Harmonisation

Intellectual Property Copyright Law Contract Law Copyright Protection of Software Functionality Expression Vs Ideas Scope of Copyright in Manuals European Directives Harmonisation

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Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 15 Party arguments 2

Parties

SAS Institute Inc

Appellant

World Programming Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Legal Issues

1 Whether replication of software functionality infringes copyright
2 Whether use of manuals as technical specification constitutes copyright infringement
3 Whether copying combinations and selections from manuals is protected

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

No copyright infringement found in replication of software functionality or use of SAS Manuals as technical specification
Limited breaches of copyright in Manual to Manual claim upheld