U.S. Copyright Act: Primary federal legislation governing copyright protection in the U.S. (17 U.S.C.), essential for software licensing as it protects original works of authorship fixed in tangible form
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): Federal law addressing digital copyright issues, including anti-circumvention provisions and safe harbor protections for online service providers
First Sale Doctrine: Legal concept limiting copyright holders' rights after first sale, though its application to software licenses is complex and often limited
Patent Law: Federal laws protecting novel, non-obvious inventions, relevant if the software contains patented components or processes
Trade Secret Law: State and federal protections for confidential business information, including software source code and proprietary algorithms
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): State-adopted uniform laws governing commercial transactions, including software licensing and sales
E-SIGN Act: Federal law ensuring the legal validity of electronic signatures and records in commercial transactions
Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Federal regulations controlling the export of commercial and dual-use software and technology
State Data Privacy Laws: Various state-specific regulations governing data protection and privacy requirements for software operations
Federal Trade Commission Regulations: Federal rules protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive practices in software licensing and sales
Sherman Antitrust Act: Federal law prohibiting monopolistic practices and anti-competitive behavior in software licensing
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Federal law governing consumer product warranties, applicable if the software license includes warranty provisions
