Zasadność obowiązywania art. 278 § 2 k.k. w odniesieniu do art. 117 ust. 1 ustawy z dnia 4 lutego 1994 roku o prawie autorskim i prawach pokrewnych

Abstract

In this paper, the author discusses the validity of Article 278(2) of the Polish Criminal Code, which penalises appropriation of a computer programme, in reference to Article 117(1) of the Law on copyright and related rights. Linguistic and logical method as well as comparative elements are employed in the paper. First, the most important features of a crime set forth in Article 278(2) of the Polish Criminal Code are discussed as well as features of a crime under Article 117(1) of the Copyright Law. The author then examines the relationship of the scopes of legal norms expressed in these provisions towards each other. The author demonstrates that the scopes of these regulations cross. Thus, the functioning of Article 278(2) of the Criminal Code is by all means valid.

Keywords

• appropriation of a computer programme
• computer programme
• criminal law