Browsing by Author "Jooste, Jacobus Petrus"

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    Decompilation and copyright in ideas - the protection of non-literal elements of computer software and the idea/expression dichotomy
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Jooste, Jacobus Petrus; Karjiker, Sadulla; Dean, Owen; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Law. Dept. of Mercantile Law.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The maxim, that copyright law does not protect ideas, is frequently challenged when the established principles are tested against new forms of expression or exploitation of a work. The evolution of computer programs, its unique characteristics and the increasing value of software as a commodity have resulted in a strained relationship between copyright law and the public interest regarding access to the underlying ideas in a computer program. This work examines the misalliance between copyright principles and the technical nature of computer programming, with a specific focus on the act of decompiling an existing program where it is undertaken in order to understand the underlying ideas and techniques. The impetus for this analysis is the sui generis classification of computer programs in South African copyright law and the potential this offers for development of domestic law in pursuit of national policy goals. This work conducts a normative analysis of the law and the technical reality of decompilation, from the perspective that copyright law must maintain a clear separation between the idea and the expression. The review of national and foreign copyright law is, throughout, conducted with a perspective on the effect of protection and a critical examination of the degree to which the law maintains an adequate balance between the private and public interests in the protection of software. In this respect, the current legal position is evaluated and a different, normative and prodevelopmental perspective regarding decompilation is proposed. It is submitted that are balancing of interests is justified and essential in order to establish an appropriate level of fairness and, at the same time, stimulate progress in this industry. It is argued that the act of using computer code to discover its meaning should not amount to infringement in the form of reproduction or adaptation of the work. It is found that the perception of decompilation, as a form of infringement, relies on an analogy to literary work. This view, it is argued, is ill suited to the nature of computer programs, at odds with the sui generis classification in SA copyright law, causes overbroad protection and violates the idea/expression separation. In light of the technical review of decompilation, it is found that the legal basis for prohibiting decompilation as a form of infringement is narrower than commonly assumed and that copyright law principles should be reinterpreted purposefully to permit decompilation. This work advocates that decompilation must be permissible and that an exemption, in SA copyright law, which is limited to decompilation for interoperability alone, is not appropriate in light of the national developmental agenda. Therefore, an alternative exemption is proposed which accommodates the technical reality of decompilation, the public interest in access to ideas and the commercial interests of copyright owners. This approach is supported by an analysis of international copyright law and is based on the inherent flexibilities of the three-step test. The justification for the findings of this work and the proposed departure from foreign precedent is supported by a close examination of the effect of a limited decompilation exception in foreign law and the impact of legislative measures to restrict circumvention of technological protection measures.
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    Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk en die 1933-droogte, met besondere verwysing na die Noordweste
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1995-03) Jooste, Jacobus Petrus; Brown, E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.
    AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Weens n verskeidenheid samelopende omstandighede, staan die droogte van die dertigerjare in Suid-Afrika bekend as Die Groot Droogte. Dit was krisistyd in hierdie land se geskiedenis. Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) het baie intens betrokke geraak by hierdie krisis, omdat die oorgrote meerderheid van die mense wat deur die droogte geraak is, lidmate van hierdie kerkverband was. In gemeentelike verband is die bediening voortgesit so goed as wat omstandighede dit toegelaat het. Die krisis van verarming, ook van die plaaslike gemeentes, het egter die kerk gedwing om in breer verband or te tree. Gevolglik is groot noodlenigingsaksies op kort termyn en rehabilitasieprojekte op langtermyn vanaf Sinodale kant aangepak en geimplementeer. Wetenskaplike navorsing oor die armoede-probleem en die opheffing en rehabilitering van arm mense, is in hierdie tye deur die NGK gelei. Suid-Afrika is n oorwegend droe land, en droogtes is n gereelde verskynsel waarmee deurlopend rekening gehou moet word. Die NGK het praktiese ervaring en kennis opgedoen van omvattende gekoordineerde optrede in sulke krisisse. In die kerk is daar n samevoeging van groot kundigheid op die terrein van barmhartigheid. Hierdie barmhartigheid word uit die Woord van God gemotiveer en beredeneer. Dit is dankbare liefde wat die. Dit is diens wat eie is aan die Christelike Kerk omdat dit na vore kom vanuit n lewende geloof in die Drie-Enige God. Hierdie agtergrond maak die NGK uiters relevant en n noodsaaklike rolspeler in hierdie land met sy gereelde natuurrampe en armoede-probleem wat roep om hulpverlening, opheffing en rehabilitasie.