Re: Every single computer interface would be copyrighted
This seems to hinge on whether a "clean-room" re-implementation would, by necessity, be a derivative work in order to be compatible, even if not an actual copy. Then the question of 'fair use' for the purposes of interoperability apply. Congress could make the law explicit on this point.
I thought Google (or the co it bought Android to obtain) admitted copying the files, so the clean-room factor not directly at play in this case?
If companies want monopolies on proprietary APIs, we can all switch elsewhere if we don't want to pay or they don't want to charge (although why publish an API if you're not looking for others to use it?); I don't see any legal problems with the standard C++ library (or Boost).
Biting the hand that feeds IT
