Decompilation in United Kingdom

Definition of Decompilation

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Decompilation : (reverse engineering)

n.

The process of taking computer *software apart. Under EU directive 91/250, computer software is protected by *copyright throughout the EU. However, a very limited right to decompilation is given in that directive for the defined purpose of writing an interoperable program, under certain very strict conditions. Any provision in a contract to exclude this limited right will be void. In the UK this directive is implemented by the Copyright (Computer Programs) Regulations 1992.