Brigid S. Delaney <wiredheart[_at_]hotmail.com> writes:
>
> I don't think that is correct - that *all* material is copyrighted.
>
> Does this mean - everything a person puts down on paper or keys in and
> sends (on use-net, listserv, e-mail) is copyrighted? I just sent several
> people in my department information on an upcoming event through our
> Lotus Notes. Does this mean it is copyrighted?
>
> I think it gets confusing when it comes to e-mail and/or different forms
> of "written" communication. It does for me.
>
> Could you indicate the specific text in the Berne Convention that
> remarks that "all material" is copyrighted? Is it all material by an
> author/artist? Or "all material" from just anyone? A five year old
> who crayons a picture?
>
All "original works of authorship" are copyrighted in the US. A work is original if it contains a modicum of creativity. While a phone book white pages won't qualify, both this email and a five-year-old's crayon drawing will qualify.
Mark Lemley
<mlemley[_at_]mail.law.utexas.edu>
Received on Wed Jul 15 1998 - 14:45:12 GMT
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