Copyright and Jokes

Dear listmembers,

Is it possible to claim a copyright on jokes?

If I compile a list of jokes that have their origin and are circulated in a particular area and are most likely isolated to that area, can I copyright them if I am the first to publish them? Could an individual who originally created the joke ever successfully present a claim?

What about jokes that are well known and widely circulated in print and verbally. Could the person who first put a joke in print ever claim copyright?

Thank you,

Duncan McKeever
<dcmck[_at_]ix.netcom.com> Received on Wed Sep 11 1996 - 10:27:42 GMT