Is copying software functionality an infringement?

SAS INSTITUTE v WORLD PROGRAMMING [2010]

In short, the answer is no. Or at least it seems to be under English law. This case revisited the issue of whether producing the same functionality of another’s software by using ‘independently’ developed code would amount to copyright infringement as opposed to recreating that functionality by directly copying the source code of that software without consent.

facts:

decision:

points to note:

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