Threats to Copyrighted Code: Bots, Mods, and Reverse Engineering

Abstract

Computer code is subject to copyright protection as a literary work, while video games have added protection as both a literary work and as an audiovisual work. Through the enactment of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and various case precedents, copyright law is beginning to accommodate 21st century concerns. However, the creation of technological advancements inevitably leads to threats against intellectual property and security. Computer software is constantly under attack from malicious software and techniques, including “bots,” “mods,” and reverse engineering. Therefore, the need for stronger copyright protection for code is crucial. Protection could be enhanced through more frequent litigation, amendments to copyright law, and more efficient construction of licensing agreements