compilation
Under the Copyright Act, a compilation is a "work formed by the collection and assembling of preexisting materials or of data that are selected, coordinated, or arranged in such a way that the resulting work as a whole constitutes an original work of authorship. The term 'compilation' includes collective works." 17 U.S.C. 101. A compilation of mere facts may not be copyrighted. Instead, a compilation may only be copyrighted if there is a creative or original act involved, i.e. in the selection and arrangement of materials. The protection is limited only to the creative or original aspects of the compilation. 17 U.S.C. 103.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A work formed by selecting, collecting, and assembling preexisting materials or data. Examples of compilations are databases, anthologies, and collective works. The creative aspects of a compilation -- such as the novel way it is organized and the selection of the materials to be included -- are entitled to copyright protection whether or not the individual parts are in the public domain or are subject to another owners copyright. (See also: database, collective work)
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:13 pm
