>[!abstract] >**Code is law** is an adage originally coined by [[Lessig, 1999|Lessig (1999)]] to mean that computer code can be at least as effective as laws for social control (such as copyright control). In a later adaptation to smart contracts, it has come to mean that the software as written, rather than as intended, should prevail when adjudicating disagreements over unexpected behaviors that typically result in a financial loss (see the [[The DAO hack]] for an example). >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): — >- **West** (similar): — >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —