EU legislation: Copyright computer programs

If you are an exporter of computer programmes or working for IT companies from the EU, you have to take into account the legislation on the copyright of computer programmes. The EU has established specific rules and definitions in order to protect the author of computer programmes.

Exporters from developing countries do not only have to comply with EU legislation but are also protected in case their computer programmes are illegally used and copied within the EU. This document presents a brief overview of the legal protection provided for computer programmes in the EU. Furthermore, some examples and recommendations are given to prevent the situation of illegal copy.