This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Document 32009L0024
Computer programs — legal protection
Computer programs — legal protection
SUMMARY OF:
Directive 2009/24/EC — the legal protection of computer programs
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?
It aims to clarify and remove differences between the legal protection of computer programs in different European Union (EU) countries in order to contribute to the proper functioning of the internal market.
KEY POINTS
Scope
The protection provided for in this directive applies to:
Authorship
Exclusive rights of the rights-holder
The holder of the rights to a computer program may do, or may authorise others to do, the following:
Limitations of those exclusive rights (no need for prior authorisation from the rights-holder)
Decompilation *
Prior authorisation from the rights-holder is not required where reproduction of the code and translation of its form are essential to obtain information necessary to achieve the interoperability* of a new computer program with other programs.
The following conditions apply:
Special measures of protection
Measures must be taken by EU countries against persons who commit any of the following:
An infringing copy of a computer program may be seized in accordance with EU countries’ national laws.
FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?
It has applied since 25 May 2009. EU countries had to incorporate it into national law by 31 December 1992, the date indicated in the Directive 91/250/EEC that is codified by Directive 2009/24/EC.
BACKGROUND
For more information, see:
* KEY TERMS
Decompilation: the conversion of program code into a higher-level programming language that can be read by a human.
Interoperability: the ability of a system or product to work with other systems or products without the need for any further action on the part of the consumer.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Directive 2009/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the legal protection of computer programs (Codified version) (OJ L 111, 5.5.2009, pp. 16–22)
last update 23.01.2017