[eliasmacpherson]

It's not just a US concept. Norway seems to have fairly strong protections on the expression of ideas - i.e. you can't copyright ideas in many cases. I wonder do they have special laws for trade secrets. Opera are going to have difficulty hiring people if they are suing former employees.

[icebraining]

Pretty sure you can't copyright ideas anywhere.

[homosaur]

Be sure to let the US Patent Office know about that.

[whafro]

The USPTO is likely well aware that they have nothing to do with copyright, just the Patents and Trademarks mentioned in their name.