microsoft excel ?

[coltheplumb]

Hi all well i hope someone can answer this one ...here goes, i have designed/developed a student progression tracking system( database) using microsoft exel, so although my idea is original (as in no one else has done it ) can i copyright that particular thing even though it can only be used in excel? or can i not as the system i used to create it is allready microsoft excel and there fore would allready be protected in it's own right ?? Really hope someone can come up with an answer Cheers Colin x
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trying to make money out of my ideas

[Warlock]

Yes. Your actual work - i.e. the actual code, content, etc. that you have created is your work and is subject to copyright (YOU own the copyright to what YOU created).

Excel is a tool - think of it this way - a writer still owns copyright to the work they create if they use a typewriter. Or perhaps a better example would be a X-box or Wii etc. just because a games console is needed to play the game doesn't stop the game itself being subject to copyright.