If APIs were held to be copyrightable, this would have repercussions across the entire tech industry.

BBC: Viewpoint: Google and Oracle's Java clash must be resolved

For example, a recipe for dinner is not copyrightable, but a recipe book with a series of recipes selected based on a unifying theme would be copyrightable.

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On the other hand, if APIs are not copyrightable, then this would allow significant freedom for companies to implement clones of existing technologies, without requiring full compatibility.

BBC: Viewpoint: Google and Oracle's Java clash must be resolved

We feel that the issue of whether APIs are copyrightable is sufficiently far-reaching that it should be addressed as a point of law in its own right.

BBC: Viewpoint: Google and Oracle's Java clash must be resolved

But other than a potential payday for Oracle on this particular case, no one benefits from a world in which the description of how you transfer data is copyrightable.

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However, expressions or arrangements of facts may be copyrightable.

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In this case, the European Union has made its position clear - on this side of the pond APIs are not copyrightable, and developers may produce a so-called "clean room" implementation of an API without running foul of copyright law.

BBC: Viewpoint: Google and Oracle's Java clash must be resolved