A new commercial software program would likely need a copyright because it is a tangible expression of creativity and intellectual effort in the form of code and user interface design. Copyrights protect such creative works from being copied or used without permission, ensuring that creators or owners have exclusive rights to distribute and modify their creations.
Reference:
CompTIA IT Fundamentals study guides discuss intellectual property rights in the context of IT, focusing on how copyrights protect software and other digital content from unauthorized reproduction or use.