Yes, when writing code for computer programs, it is possible to seek copyright protection. The program counts as a set of instructions and statements telling a computer how to achieve a specific result, and so unique code can be copyrighted so that the code is protected.
This does not necessarily apply to every single aspect of the computer program itself. For instance, things like system design and formatting typically cannot be copyrighted, even though something like HTML code or object code can be.
In some cases, other types of protections may need to be used. If a company makes a computer program, for instance, the specific formatting may use branding elements that are themselves trademarked by the company.
The copyright only applies to the current program
One key thing to keep in mind is that every iteration of a program will need to be copyrighted on its own. Once the copyright has been set up for a specific program, the legal protections will not cover:
- Source code that was registered previously
- Source code that had already been published
- Source code that a third party owns and has already copyrighted, or can copyright in the future
- Source code that is available to all as it is a part of the public domain
Even in these cases, however, there can be some exceptions. For instance, pre-existing source code may be covered if it was never registered or published beforehand. After all, code often changes significantly over the course of a project.
Seeking a copyright
Legal protections for computer programs and source code are very important, and obtaining them can be complicated. It may help to work with an experienced attorney to ensure that you have all of the correct protections in place, especially before releasing a new product.