Legislation is pending in the U.S. Congress that would protect uncopyrightable collections of data (including uncopyrightable electronic databases) from information piracy. According to congressional staff and press reports, database bills are expected to be acted on in March 1999.
Compilations of Facts Have "Thin" Copyright Protection.
Facts are generally not copyrightable and are free for all to use. But the manner in which collections of facts are arranged may be protected under U.S. copyright law if the arrangement or coordination of facts demonstrates "authorship." In 1991, the Supreme Court made clear that mere "sweat of the brow" collections of facts – collections that may have been very expensive to create but that include no spark of creativity in their selection or coordination - are unprotected by copyright.
