Protection of Computer Software Programs Under the 1994 Polish Copyright Law

This Comment provides a study of the 1994 Polish Copyright Law and examines whether the law will lead to increased investment in the Polish software market by U.S. software publishers. Part I discusses the U.S. and Polish computer software industries and the role of U.S. software companies in Poland. Part I also analyzes the 1952 Polish Copyright Law and the problems it precipitated, as well as the dilemma of software piracy as a function of copyright law. Finally, Part I discusses the forces of change that culminated in the enactment of the 1994 Polish Copyright Law. Part II provides an analysis of the provisions in the 1994 Polish Copyright Law that directly concern computer programs. Part III argues that U.S. software publishers should greet the new Polish Copyright Law enthusiastically because the law conforms with international, regional, and bilateral agreements and offers a genuine remedy for the problem of software piracy in Poland. This Comment concludes that the new Polish law will promote increased investment in the Polish computer software market by U.S. software companies