Are facts protected by copyright?

No, facts are not protected by copyright law in California. Copyright law protects creative works such as original literature, music, and art, but not facts or mere ideas. Copyright law specifically states that facts, no matter how creative or imaginative, are not protected and can be freely used without permission or a license. This means that anyone can use facts in a work without fear of infringement. However, the expression of facts in a unique way may be protected, such as if it is written in a unique style or produced with a unique approach. This is called "compilation copyright" and may protect collections of facts that have been organized in a specific way. For example, if someone created a cookbook containing a collection of recipes, the compilation of the recipes might be protected. It is important to remember that facts are not protected by copyright law in California, but the expression of facts may be protected.

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