Copyright aspects of computer programs: İnteroperability and free and open source software

Due to the prominence of their functionality aspect, computer programs differ from other copyrighted works. The protection granted by classical copyright regulations to the authors of computer programs can be used and interpreted in a way that may prevent the interoperability and development of other programs. For these reasons, it is important to establish a balance between the interests of the authors of computer programs and the public interest. In order to strike this balance, this study proposes to (i) opt for the broad interpretation of interoperability authorisation to serve the public interest and (ii) use the free and open source model for the development of computer programs as an alternative to the interoperability authorisation.