Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service

Definition

Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case decided in 1991 that established the principle that merely compiling facts does not warrant copyright protection. The case clarified the boundaries of copyright law, emphasizing that originality is required for copyright eligibility, even in factual compilations like telephone directories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled that Rural Telephone Service's telephone directory was not entitled to copyright because it lacked the requisite originality.
2. The decision clarified that facts themselves cannot be copyrighted; instead, only the original expression of those facts can receive protection under copyright law.
3. The ruling set a precedent for how courts assess originality and creativity in factual compilations and databases.
4. Feist Publications' use of the data was considered fair use because it did not infringe on any copyright due to the lack of originality in the source material.
5. The case highlighted the importance of balancing copyright protections with the public's access to factual information, promoting a free flow of information.

Review Questions

• How did the Supreme Court's decision in Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service impact the understanding of originality in copyright law?
  • The Supreme Court's decision underscored that originality is a crucial element for copyright protection. The ruling established that simply compiling facts does not qualify for copyright unless there is some original expression involved. This clarified previous ambiguities regarding what constitutes an original work, particularly in cases involving factual databases and compilations.
• What implications did the Feist case have on fair use doctrine concerning factual information?
  • The Feist case highlighted how fair use applies to factual information by determining that the lack of originality in Rural Telephone Service's directory allowed Feist to utilize the data without infringing on copyright. This interpretation reinforced the notion that while copyright protects creative expressions, it does not extend to factual content itself, thereby encouraging broader access to information while still respecting the rights of creators.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service on future copyright cases and legislative actions.
  • The long-term effects of Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service can be seen in subsequent copyright cases and ongoing legislative discussions around data and fact-based works. The ruling set a clear precedent regarding what constitutes originality necessary for copyright protection, influencing future court decisions where facts are compiled or presented. Additionally, this case has prompted ongoing debates about how to balance intellectual property rights with the need for open access to factual information in an increasingly digital world, potentially shaping future legislation on copyright reform.

Related terms

Copyright: A legal right that grants the creator of original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution, usually for a limited time, with the intention of enabling creators to receive compensation for their intellectual investment.

Fair Use: A doctrine in copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holders, typically for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

Originality: A requirement for copyright protection which necessitates that a work must contain some degree of creativity and not just be a mere reproduction or compilation of facts.