Re: copyrighting of numbers

From: Brian D. Negin <negin[_at_]cbs.gov.il>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 10:21:58 -0700

Russell G. Cofano <russc[_at_]cofanogroup.com> wrote:
>
> In previous posts, there was discussion concerning copyright of
> numbers in the ADA case. How about this scenario?
>
> A real estate broker enters into a listing agreement with a home
> seller. The seller, with broker's help, elects to sell the house
> at $200,000. Listing Broker enters the listing in the local
> multiple listing service computer database. Is the list price
> copyrighted (for now, forget about who would own the copyright)?

No, there is no copyright in the number, but there might be a copyright in the database containing the numbers (based on originality of selection and arrangement). However, US precedent has found such database protection to be "thin" (take a look at Warren v. Microdos, 115 F.3d 1509 (11th Cir. 1997).

Brian

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Brian Negin, Adv.
Legal Advisor
Israel Central Bureau of Statistics
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Fax: 972-2-6553543
Email: negin[_at_]cbs.gov.il
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Received on Tue Apr 28 1998 - 07:26:30 GMT

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