Re: Bug#451799: new evince cannot display Japanese characters correctly
On 28/11/2007, Michael Poole <mdpoole@troilus.org> wrote:
> Based on a quick look, these files establish a correspondence between
> different character set encodings. Copyright protects creative
> expression. What is the creative part of this mapping? I can see two
> possible bases: character selection and ambiguity resolution.
Can't speak for the US, but in the UK the standard for copyright
protection is somewhat lower than "creative expression". Generally, a
work merely has to be "original" (i.e. not copied from elsewhere).
However, a file consisting of mappings of this nature probably
constitutes a "database" under UK law (and in other EU jurisdictions).
In that case it only attracts protection "if, and only if, by reason
of the selection or arrangement of the contents of the database the
database constitutes the author's own intellectual creation". I really
doubt that this file would meet that test, or that it would reach the
"substantial investment" test for the separate "database right".
> That being said, I am not sure enough to risk it in court on my dime.
> I would hope that Adobe would be willing to provide the data with a
> DFSG-compatible license and/or a notice that makes it clear whether
> they think the mappings are protected by copyright.
Well, quite. What I said above only goes to show how complex copyright
questions can become, and that's only looking at one jurisdiction. I
find it hard to believe Adobe could or would assert copyright here,
but I'm no more willing than you to be the one who tests that
hypothesis!
John
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