Data (n): 1) pieces of information. 2) information. 3) A collection of object-units that are distinct from one another.

Database (n): A collection of (usually) organized information in a regular structure, usually but not necessarily in a machine-readable format accessible by a computer.

'information” ?

“Just the facts, ma'am.”

empirical observations

eg: dimensions of

tofer618tofer618 - IMG_0494IMG_0494

not

US Code 17 § 102(b) “In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.”

US Code 17 § 102(b) “In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.”

Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co. (1991)

Yellow PagesYellow Pages – Silver TuskSilver Tusk

“Iceland phonebook is sorted on first names” - selmervIceland phonebook is sorted on first names selmerv

"sweat of the brow"

“Because Rural's white pages lack the requisite originality, Feist's use of the listings cannot constitute infringement. This decision should not be construed as demeaning Rural's efforts in compiling its directory, but rather as making clear that copyright rewards originality, not effort.”

“copyright rewards originality, not effort.”

Copyrightability of Data

“you don't copyright the bricks, you copyright the whole house” (ish)

tougher

MetOffice:

even tougher

Source: GeoEye

by Rotemdan

What about databases?

US: database as compilation (Feist still applies) EU Database Directive (there is no Feist)

“Member States shall provide for a right for the maker of a database which shows that there has been qualitatively and/or quantitatively a substantial investment in either the obtaining, verification or presentation of the contents to prevent extraction and/or re-utilization of the whole or of a substantial part, evaluated qualitatively and/or quantitatively, of the contents of that database.” Source

“Member States shall provide for a right for the maker of a database which shows that there has been qualitatively and/or quantitatively a substantial investment in either the obtaining, verification or presentation of the contents to prevent extraction and/or re-utilization of the whole or of a substantial part, evaluated qualitatively and/or quantitatively, of the contents of that database.” Source

“Member States shall provide for a right for the maker of a database which shows that there has been qualitatively and/or quantitatively a substantial investment in either the obtaining, verification or presentation of the contents to prevent extraction and/or re-utilization of the whole or of a substantial part, evaluated qualitatively and/or quantitatively, of the contents of that database.” “SWEAT OF THE BROW”