Can a company copyright the structure of a programming language?

The arguments, in order

This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.

1. Argument 1 · 2020-10-07

   What happened at the argument

   Thomas Goldstein argued for Google. He stated the merger doctrine resolved the copyrightability question. He claimed Oracle holds a copyright to Java code but not a patent. He argued the public owns the right to Java's function. He said Oracle cannot use copyright to create patent-like rights.

   David Stewart argued for Oracle. He cited a 1978 national commission report. He noted the report recommended copyright protection for computer code. He argued Congress defined literary works to include software. He stated copyright protection applies as long as code is original.

   Chief Justice Roberts questioned the merger doctrine. He compared copying a brief's structure to copying its text. He asked if copying headings and organization is acceptable. He suggested that copying the only way to express an idea is copyright infringement.

   Justice Thomas questioned the timing of the merger doctrine. He asked when the court should determine if merger applies. He suggested looking at Section 101 of the copyright statute. He compared the situation to a football team copying a playbook.

   Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details

   Sources used for this argument breakdown

   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 12-20 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 12-20
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   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 30-32
   • Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 34-46 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 34-46