Copyright

[Israel Stein]

At 05:34 PM 2/28/2008, David Boyce wrote:

>§ 103. Subject matter of copyright: Compilations and derivative works
>(b) The copyright in a compilation or derivative 
>work extends only to the material contributed by 
>the author of such work, as distinguished from 
>the preexisting material employed in the work, 
>and does not imply any exclusive right in the 
>preexisting material. The copyright in such work 
>is independent of, and does not affect or 
>enlarge the scope, duration, ownership, or 
>subsistence of, any copyright protection in the preexisting material.

Now define "pre-existing material". Especially 
when the material no longer exists. It's not as 
simple as it appears. I'll bet a good lawyer 
could run circles around your reasoning...

Israel Stein