information

What is in the public domain?

Anything that is not protected by copyright is in the public domain. This includes: Unprotectable subject matter (facts, information, ideas, methods, processes, inventions, titles, names, slogans, short phrases, common geometric shapes, familiar symbols, unoriginal compilations systems (e.g., ordering things alphabetically), works created by U.S. government employees, natural objects formed or shaped by natural forces without

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Can I claim a copyright in a collection of facts, information or other uncopyrightable material?

Yes, if the selection, coordination or arrangement is creative and original. Although facts are not protected by copyright, copyright may be claimed in the selection and arrangement of them, provided it is sufficiently creative and original. Copyright cannot be claimed in a selection and arrangement that is too obvious to be creative and original. For

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Can I claim copyright ownership of factual information I’ve gathered or a discovery I’ve made?

No. Copyright cannot be claimed in facts, information, discoveries, or research findings. At one time, courts applied a “sweat of the brow ” doctrine, holding that copyright protection could exist for facts and information that a person expended a great deal of effort to discover and collect. Courts no longer apply the “sweat of the

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