Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New York

Status of Constructed Languages

What is the IP law status of constructed languages? By ''constructed languages'' I mean a language that has been artificially created by specific people instead of naturally occuring in a human population. Would copyright or patent cover this new language? While the bare words might be a ''body of work'', are they a ''specific expression''? Or is the entire language a ''method'' of communication? Would it matter if the language were based upon previously extant natural languages or was constructed completely _de novo_? Would it matter if this language were publicized mostly by means of inclusion in a work of fiction? Does its presence therein transform it into no longer being a ''method''? My use of ''constructed language'' in this context explicitly excludes ''computer languages'' and 'scripting languages''.


Asked on 3/17/02, 11:55 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Klug Law Office of Sarah Scova Klug PLLC

Re: Status of Constructed Languages

I strongly suggest that you contact an attorney who specializes in copyright and patent protection for computer languages. (Although your constructed language excludes �computer languages�, after doing some research, it is my opinion that protection for your constructed language will flow from IP protection

developed for underlying computer languages of programs.)

Start by calling the New York State Bar Association or visiting there website. I am sure they can help you with a referral.

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Answered on 3/29/02, 11:13 pm


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