Adaptation

Copyright
Under U.S. copyright law, the right to make an adaptation of a copyrighted work generally belongs to the copyright owner. However, in connection with computer programs, 17 U.S.C. §117 provides that:


 * Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of [an] . . . adaptation of that computer program provided:
 * (1) that such . . . adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or
 * (2) that such . . . adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be rightful.

Technology
Adaptation is the conversion of a computer program from one high level language or operating system to another or the right to add features to a computer program.