Protection for Computer Program Button

[LAWwaldo]

Are computer program buttons protected by any IP law? For example, if you look above when you post you see all those function buttons. Did the person who made the software for this site have to get permission to use them? Or are some buttons more equal than others, meaning that some are free to use but some are protected? For example, the "erase" button with a chalkboard eraser wouldnt be copyright protected because it isn't original and their are only so many ways to represent a button. However, some of the buttons you find on apple programs are only used in apple programs. Does that mean those Apple buttons are protected?

[LAWwaldo]

So after thinking about this more I may have already answered it. The buttons would probably qualify as design patents. Since these designs have been around for over 20 years the designs would fall into the public domain.

[aaron]

If you're talking about the graphic art that is used in creating the interface of computer programs, the graphics are subject to copyright.