Connecticut
How Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co. applies in Connecticut: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Copyright.
Connecticut law adheres closely to the precedent set by Feist, recognizing that a compilation or collection of facts is not copyrightable without an element of originality. Courts in Connecticut emphasize the necessity for creativity in arrangement or presentation to meet the threshold of copyright protection.
In Connecticut, like federal law, a compilation of facts is copyrightable only if it contains an original selection or arrangement that demonstrates creative expression.
The court held that the mere collection of unoriginal data lacks copyright unless the presentation shows creativity.
The court ruled that functional aspects of software are not copyrightable unless they include expressive elements.
Connecticut's approach is largely aligned with federal copyright law as outlined in Feist. Both jurisdictions require originality in expression rather than mere compilation of facts to qualify for copyright protection.
Expect questions regarding the originality requirement for copyright and the nuances of compilations, as they relate to state law and federal precedents.