Software copyright

Software copyright protects the original expression of a computer program, including source and object code and, in appropriate cases, preparatory design material. It does not protect abstract ideas, algorithms, programming languages, interfaces or technical functionality as such, though these may be relevant under other legal regimes. In Switzerland, computer programs are treated as protected works with specific rules for use, backup copies, decompilation and employment-related ownership questions. Contracts and open-source licences often define the practical scope of permitted software use.