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Collections of facts are also not copyrightable. What's copyrightable is the editorial decision to include or exclude -- or, potentially, arrange -- some facts. This is why phone books weren't copyrightable - there is no creativity involved in choosing what's included ("everything") or the order in which entries appear ("alphabetical").

"Every charting hit" is also a comprehensive list involving no creativity. Order them chronologically and call it a day.




Some phone directories were said to include made up names and numbers that could be used to copyright phone directories. i.e. Company A provides a phone directory with a smattering of nonsense data contained within, Company B copies that wholesale which gives Company A ammunition in a copyright case as they point to the nonsense data and ask Company B to explain why they are included (which they obviously can't without saying, "We copied your directory"). This may just be urban lore.


It is definitely true as to maps; terrestrial maps include streets that don't actually exist. (Nautical maps don't do this.)

I haven't heard of it for phone books, but it could be true.




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