COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS & TRADE SECRETS

CLASS EXAMINATIONS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

1. The following are basic copyright rules:

  1. protects original works of authorship against unauthorized copying and potential loss of sales
  2. is applicable to literary and dramatic works, as well as computer programs and databases
  3. is owned by the individual who originates the work
  4. includes the rule of fair use
  5. 1 and 2
  6. 1, 2, 3 and 4 (**)

2. The duration for a copyright is:

  1. life of author plus 50 years (**)
  2. from registration to 50 years
  3. from registration to death of author
  4. from creation to 50 years

3. Patents must be files within 9 months of initial public view.

True

False (**)

4. Patent protection lasts for:

  1. 12 years
  2. 20 years
  3. 17 years (**)
  4. 24 years

5. Copyrights imply that:

  1. one owns the expression of a solution idea(**)
  2. the owner has a monopoly on the program
  3. the program may not be copied

6. Computer programs are patentable when they are:

  1. Part of a larger software system
  2. Included in an embedded computer
  3. Essential to the product in which they are included (**)
  4. Copyrighted first

7. There are four types of protection that can be applied to most any product, including software:

Explain how each provides intellectual property protection as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology.

 

8. The US Copyright Law grants exclusive protection to a work of authorship for:

  1. for the life of author
  2. for the life of author plus 50 years (**)
  3. 25 years for anonymous works
  4. 70 years for works for hire
  5. all of the above

9. Software can be patented.

  1. False
  2. Only if it is totally original and does not include other patented software
  3. So long as it is an essential element of a larger system.
  4. Only when the software is an integral component of a hardware system. (**)

 

10. Say that no-one knew how to write a sorting program, then if I wish to give the best protection to my ideas regarding a particular way of sorting numerical values:

  1. I should write a paper about it, and copyright it -- after all the protection will last for my lifetime plus 50 years.
  2. Build a mechanical sorter, and patent it -- giving protection for 17 years.
  3. Form a company, swear all my employees to secrecy, and make it a trade secret which would last as long as my secret lasted.
  4. Give it a peculiar name, and then trademark that name.

11. QUESTION: True or False? An idea can be copyrighted.
SUGGESTED ANSWER: False. Copyrights apply to expressions not ideas.

12. QUESTION: True or False? A single failure to protect an intellectual property claim is sufficient to cause the loss of the property rights.
SUGGESTED ANSWER: True. This is a very important clause in the law that governs intellectual property rights.

How long is copyright for an anonymous work?

  1. 70 years
  2. 21 years
  3. 95 years <-
  4. 170 years

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Last updated 2002/05/01
© J.A.N. Lee, 1999-2002.