hello
What would be copyright if the following took place:
f2c program.f > program.c
where fortran program is automatic converted to C program. in general, what is the copyright of automatically converted programs?
I am not looking for legal advice, just curious
I'm going to guess that the same copyright would apply to the .c output. When you compile a program in any given language to an executable file, I believe that the copyright also attaches to that executable result. As others have said, it's a legal question and legal counsel should be consulted if it's important.
It is a "derivative work" and the same copyright rules would apply to it as would apply to any other derivative work.
http://www.google.com/search?q=derivative+work
Whether the person who runs the conversion program gains any authorship rights in the derivative work would depend on whether the courts think running a conversion program makes the derivative work differ sufficiently from the original. I suspect not because running a conversion program doesn't involve any creative or artistic decision making.
However, I am not a lawyer, and I suggest you consult with one before making any important decisions involving the copyright of such a work.