Do I have copyright on an algorithm I published in a research jounal paper?
I’m no lawyer but this page: http://www.iusmentis.com/copyright/software/protection/ Seems to show that an implementation of an algorithm is not protected by copyright as it requires little ‘creativity’; the function of a work “can only be protected by a patent.” However: “Even when providing a largely functional implementation, creativity can still be found in things like function and variable names, code optimizations and even the comments accompanying the code. Copying such an implementation wholesale then still infringes on copyright.” But: “If an implementation must be done in a particular way, there is no room for creativity, which means the implementation is not protected by copyright.” You may wish to contact a copyright lawyer, but it appears you may be out of luck. Sources: http://www.iusmentis.
