Re: Wash. Post Claims Copyright of Judge's Opinion

Bruce Bertram <bmb[_at_]bmb.com> wrote:
>
> I downloaded a copy of the opinion issued by Judge Wright today. I
> downloaded the text file from the Washington Post's web site. The Post
> claims a copyright in the text. They also claim a copyright in an image
> of the one page order dismissing the case.
>
> Can they do that?

They can claim it, but they don't have it, provided you have not downloaded any original writing that the Post might have included with the text of the opinion or order. You or I can claim the Brooklyn Bridge, but neither of us owns it.

The opinion and order were: (a) not original works of anybody having any relationship with the Post, so the Post could not own the copyright in them even if they were copyrightable, and (b) were US government works, in which copyright does not subsist.

William J. Scanlon, Ph.D.

THE SCANLON LAW OFFICE
Developing Science, Technology and the Creative Arts(sm) Intellectual Property Law
Internet Law

616 South Ingersoll Street, Suite 1
Madison, WI 53703 USA
Phone: (608) 294-1141
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E-Mail: wscanlon[_at_]execpc.com Received on Fri Apr 03 1998 - 18:19:32 GMT