Citation[]
U.S. Copyright Office, Software-Enabled Consumer Products (Dec. 15, 2016) (full-text).
Overview[]
This Report details how copyright law applies to software-enabled consumer products and enables creative expression and innovation in the software industry.
For many innovators, copyright's incentive system is the engine that drives creation and innovation. But the spread of copyrighted software also raises particular concerns about consumers' right to make legitimate use of those works — including resale, repair, and security research. As the Report explains, the Office believes that the proper application of existing copyright doctrines to software embedded in everyday products should allow users to engage in these and other legitimate uses of works, while maintaining the strength and stability of the copyright system.
The Office thus is not recommending any legislative changes at this time.