Risktimetry Analytics, LLC (Park City, UT) has sued Altaira, LLC (Park City, UT) and Linedata U.S. (Boston, MA) for infringement of copyrights in Risktimetry’s Alpine System financial services computer software.
The software in question was purchased by Risktimetry when its original author Theoretics, Inc. went bankrupt. Following Theoretics’ dissolution, its former co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board formed Altaira and brought along a number of former Theoretics employees. Two years later Altaira announced a software platform offering many of the same features as the Alpine System and an agreement with Linedata to market the same.
The complaint asserts direct and contributory infringement by Altaira and Linedata. The complaint hints at, but does not explicitly charge, copying of actual lines of code in addition to copying of functional concepts such as the use of libraries, databases, financial trading functions, and a GUI. Unless Risktimetry can point to actual copying of expressive content (such as source code) rather than functionality, it is going to have a difficult time proving copyright infringement.
The limits to copyright protection for software have been noted on this blog before, in particular with regard to this Judge Saris case.
Risktimetry Analytics, LLC v. Altaira, LLC, et. al., 10-10969-NMG (D. Mass. June 10, 2010)
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