On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 20:58:15 +0100 Lee Elliott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm pretty sure that information/data can't be copyrighted - but the > design of the presentation of the information/data can.
You'd think so, wouldn't you? And traditionally, that's been the opinion of U.S. courts -- that to be covered by copyright, the work must pass an originality standard, and the collection of facts itself can't pass that standard. Unfortunately, in the U.S. anyway, many corporations still file lawsuits against smaller companies and organizations over this, figuring that the smaller party will find it easier to knuckle under than to defend themselves in court, even if they'll be successful. And then, on top of this, there's H.R. 3261, to be considered by the full House of Representatives when they return. The "Database and Collections of Information Misappropriation Act" would extend copyright protections to such collections of facts. http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-5145040.html Anyway, since removing the DAFIF is being entered into the Federal Register for comment, and since it's still the case in the U.S. that collections of facts aren't illegal (and thus, such removal seems very premature), maybe it's a good idea to take an evening to write such a comment. -c -- Chris Metzler [EMAIL PROTECTED] (remove "snip-me." to email) "As a child I understood how to give; I have forgotten this grace since I have become civilized." - Chief Luther Standing Bear
pgpZLUClgkuUx.pgp
Description: PGP signature
_______________________________________________ Flightgear-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.flightgear.org/mailman/listinfo/flightgear-devel 2f585eeea02e2c79d7b1d8c4963bae2d
