Re: Web link copyright

On Thu, May 06, 1999, Stanley M. Morris <smmorris[_at_]rmii.com> wrote:
>
> Are URL's subject to copyright? Specifically, may an alphabetical
> list of URL's incorpoated in a web page be subject to copyright? The
> pages in question appear to be similar to a telephone book or a city
> directory. I think not. Is there a case on point? Thanks.

If the list of URLs is presented solely as a series of Internet addresses, then it is a list of facts. Facts are not protected by copyright. The fact of a site's URL, like the fact of someone's address or telephone number, is not copyrightable subject matter.

Be aware, however, that a LIST of facts may be copyrightable if the selection and arrangement of the elements in the list is sufficiently original. This does not extend copyright protection to the individual facts themselves; but it does protect the creator of that particular list from having the list infringed by exact copies or substantially similar lists. This is true opnly if the selection and arrangement of the items in the list is original. Alphabetical or numerical arrangement is not considered original. Other methods of arrangement (such as by category or by geographical location) might be considered original, depending on the facts and the context.

Bob

Robert C. Cumbow
> Graham & Dunn, P.C.
> 1420 Fifth Avenue, 33rd Floor
> Seattle, Washington 98101-2390
> Phone: 206-340-9619
> Fax: 206-340-9599
> E-mail: rcumbow[_at_]grahamdunn.com
> Website: http://www.grahamdunn.com/
>
Received on Fri May 07 1999 - 15:19:28 GMT