Are facts protected by copyright?
No, facts are not protected by copyright law in Minnesota. A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection for original works of authorship, such as literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. Facts are not protected by copyright law because facts are matters of public knowledge and cannot be owned by a single individual. For example, the fact that Minnesota is a state in the United States is considered public information and therefore could not be protected by copyright law. In order for something to be protected by copyright law, the work must be creative and show a certain level of originality. Copyright law exists to protect the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. So even if a creative work includes facts, only the expression of those facts is protected by copyright law, not the facts themselves. For example, a writer might create a fictional story set in Minnesota that features true facts about the state, such as the state bird or the largest city. The writer would own the copyright to the story, but would not own the copyright to the facts. It is important to remember that copyright law is only intended to protect the expression of ideas, not the idea or facts themselves. If you are interested in protecting original facts, you will need to look into the laws surrounding trade secrets or patents.
Related FAQs
What is a copyright collective?Can I copyright a slogan?
How do I find out if I am infringing someone else's copyright?
Can copyright law protect me from someone using my artwork without permission?
How can I protect my copyright?
What is the difference between copyright and intellectual property?
What types of works are protected by copyright?
What is fair use?
What is copyright registration and how do I do it?
What is the difference between copyright and copyright infringement?
Related Blog Posts
What Is Copyright Law: An Introduction to Protecting Your Intellectual Property - July 31, 2023Understanding Your Rights Under Copyright Law - August 7, 2023
4 Tips For Ensure Your Creative Work is Properly Covered by Copyright Law - August 14, 2023
What Is Fair Use in Copyright Law and How It Applies to You - August 21, 2023
5 Essential Steps To Make Sure You’re in Compliance with Copyright Law - August 28, 2023