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Once you use someone's API, then they dictate where and when your program works, unless you rewrite your program to not use that API.

Given the countless and fundamental APIs that are typically used in any program, do you not think that is a Bad Thing?

Given that most programmers have assumed that to not be the case, it would be very bad for existing code at the very least.




Well, if you are looking at an API which’s license explicitly forbids copying, I would stay away from copying it. While this case do give a precedent, it is much more about this specific case being a fair use according to the supreme court, than on whether APIs itself are copyrightable.

Also, given most programmers’ assumptions, I would not base much on that alone :D But IANAL, so do ask one, to be safe.




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