Which legal protection prohibits unethical duplication of a computer program?

Copyright is the legal protection that specifically prohibits the unauthorized duplication of creative works, including computer programs. When a computer program is created, it is automatically protected by copyright law, granting the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display the software. This means that others cannot legally copy or distribute the program without permission from the copyright holder, ensuring that the original creator retains control over their work.

While trademarks protect brand names and logos used on goods and services, and patents protect inventions and processes, these forms of legal protection do not specifically address the duplication of software. Trade secrets protect confidential business information but do not provide the same level of protection against unauthorized copying as copyright law does for computer programs. Therefore, copyright is the appropriate legal measure aimed at preventing unethical duplication within the realm of software.