Databases receive their copyright protection (or lack of protection) under several provisions in the copyright act, including the provisions on public domain, compilations, derivative works, and original works. Application of fair use to copyrighted databases centers on downloading; protection for locally produced databases can be secured.…

Comments on court cases dealing with copyrighted materials of special interest to librarians highlight Williams and Wilkins case, Sony case dealing with videocopying, computer programs and databases, government and legal materials in public domain, musical works, and four factors of Section 107 (fair use) of 1976 Copyright Law. (109 references)…