On Mon, 03 Mar 2003, Matt Brubeck wrote: > In the US, "Edicts of government, such as judicial opinions, adminis- > trative rulings, legislative enactments, public ordinances, and > similar official legal documents are not copyrightable for reasons of > public policy" (Copyright Office Practices Compendium II section > 206.01).
It is important to note though, that contracts are not edicts of
government. [Nor (unless I am severly mistaken) is the Copyright
Office Practices Compendium law in any sense of the word.]
This manual, intended primarily for Copyright Office staff, is a
general guide to practices and procedures.[1]
> The Supreme Court recently accepted a case that may clarify the
> extent of this exception (Veeck v. SBCCI):
>
> http://research.yale.edu/lawmeme/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=630
Unless SCOTUS does something remarkable, it is unlikely that their
ruling (if they claim the codes to be uncopyrightable) will extend
beyond the codes themselves.
> I have also heard the claim that private contracts are not
> copyrightable, but I've never seen law or precendent to support it.
That has been my general experience as well, although I have never
researched it thoroughly. I presume the Veeck case will provide some
more insight as to their status.
Don Armstrong
1: http://www.copyright.gov/compendium/
--
She was alot like starbucks.
IE, generic and expensive.
-- hugh macleod http://www.gapingvoid.com/batch3.htm
http://www.donarmstrong.com
http://www.anylevel.com
http://rzlab.ucr.edu
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