Singapore legislation

Section 13

of Copyright Act 2021

Section 13

Literary work includes computer program and compilation

(1)

A “literary work” includes —

(a)

a compilation in any form; and

(b)

a computer program.

(2)

A “compilation” is a compilation or table —

(a)

consisting —

(i)

wholly or partly of the following material:

(A)

an authorial work, including a computer program;

(B)

a published edition of an authorial work;

(C)

a sound recording;

(D)

a film;

(E)

a broadcast;

(F)

a cable programme;

(G)

a recording of a protected performance; or

(ii)

of data other than the material mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i); and

(b)

that is an intellectual creation because of the selection or arrangement of its contents.

(3)

A “computer program” is an expression (in any language, code or notation) of a set of instructions (whether with or without related information) intended to —

(a)

directly cause a device with information processing capabilities to perform a particular function; or

(b)

cause a device with information processing capabilities to perform a particular function after —

(i)

converting the instructions into another language, code or notation;

(ii)

copying the instructions in a different material form; or

(iii)

both of those acts.

(4)

To avoid doubt, a computer program made before 10 April 1987 (or over a period ending before that date) is a literary work.