Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Texas
Copyright Questions On Outdated Information
Recently I came into possession of a series of books published in 1792. A company republished the books in 2006 and says that the information in the book is copyrighted. Is it legal for me to publish the information on a webpage since the original is so old?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Copyright Questions On Outdated Information
There is a distinction between a "work" (copyrighted) and a "book" (a tangible object containing a work). It sounds to me like the company republished the work. If the 2006 books in which they republished the work contain other copyrighted material, then they have a right to claim copyright protection in the new material, but doing so does not affect the status of the 1792 material.
This is not legal advice - you'll need to get your own lawyer for that. Perhaps there are some additional facts that are relevant here, but based on what you wrote, it is hard for me to imagine anyone having the gall to go after you for copying something written in 1792 just because they copied it first.
Related Questions & Answers
-
Patents How do I find the safest means of bringing an idea to patent? Asked 10/14/08, 5:58 pm in United States Texas Intellectual Property
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
