Software Copyright Infringement Claims after \u3ci\u3eMAI Systems v. Peak Computer\u3c/i\u3e

Abstract

In MAI Systems Corp. v. Peak Computer, Inc. the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Peak committed copyright infringement by running MAI operating system software incidental to Peak\u27s repair of the computer system. The court rejected Peak\u27s section 117 defense under the Copyright Act because it refused to recognize a licensee of computer software as an owner of a copy of software. This Note argues that the decision contravenes both the substance and principles of federal copyright law, and unnecessarily harms computer owners. It suggests a two-tiered analysis that courts should follow when evaluating copyright infringement claims involving software licensing agreements and third parties