25 Mar

Commons:Derivative works

‎Maps
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* '''Geographic or topographic features'''. Those are facts, and facts aren't copyrightable.

* '''Geographic or topographic features'''. Those are facts, and facts aren't copyrightable.

* '''Elements copied from other maps''' (say, from a public domain USGS map). Whatever new information the mapmaker added will be protected by copyright (the selection, arrangement of the info), but the elements that were copied (the elements of a USGS map used as a starting point, for example) will stay in the public domain.

* '''Elements copied from other maps''' (say, from a public domain USGS map). Whatever new information the mapmaker added will be protected by copyright (the selection, arrangement of the info), but the elements that were copied (the elements of a USGS map used as a starting point, for example) will stay in the public domain.

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However, some of these maps may be protected by copyright.[https://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/967/967.F2d.135.91-2305.html] Mason v Montgomery Data et al 1992

While the above applies to the United States, it is not clear if it is applicable to other countries. In the European Union ''Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases'' has been approved. However, neither the directive, nor any of the national laws promulgated after its approval clearly specify that elements represented on maps qualify as databases.

While the above applies to the United States, it is not clear if it is applicable to other countries. In the European Union ''Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases'' has been approved. However, neither the directive, nor any of the national laws promulgated after its approval clearly specify that elements represented on maps qualify as databases.

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