Yes. Under current US copyright law computer programs are considered "literary works"
Assuming that it qualifies for protection, copyright applies as soon as the program is finished and the file is saved.
Yes; it may also be possible to patent.
USe the software program "LIMEWIRE"
From the Canadian Copyright Act C-42 definitions (see link for full text)"computer program" means a set of instructions or statements, expressed, fixed, embodied or stored in any manner, that is to be used directly or indirectly in a computer in order to bring about a specific result;
From the Canadian Copyright Act C-42 definitions (see link for full text)"computer program" means a set of instructions or statements, expressed, fixed, embodied or stored in any manner, that is to be used directly or indirectly in a computer in order to bring about a specific result;
Copyright infringement in general is copying, altering, or distributing protected material without the permission of the copyright holder. If you have a software license to put a program on one computer and you put it on two, you have infringed the copyright. More details can be found in the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) of the program.
Absolutely not ! That's called copyright theft - and you can be prosecuted for it !
It depends. Usually you are free to download anything to your computer you want. If your employer has restrictions to downloads, and you do anyway, then that isn't illegal, but is against company policy. If the program has a copyright and is for sale, and you download it and use it without purchasing the software, then you are in violation of federal law. There are stiff penalties and fines for copyright infringement.
Each program has its own copyright information.
Copyright protection on computer programs varies slightly from country to country; it is not specifically noted in the Berne Convention, but the US protects software as "literary works." Other countries are not so clear.
In freeware, the creator retains copyright; he is merely choosing not to charge for the use of his program.
Laura N. Gasaway has written: 'Get copyright right' -- subject(s): Copyright, Copyright and electronic data processing, Fair use (Copyright), United States 'Legal protection for computer programs' -- subject(s): Copyright, Computer programs