Missouri
How Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co. applies in Missouri: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Copyright.
Missouri follows the principles laid out in Feist by emphasizing that copyright protection does not extend to facts but rather to the original expression of those facts. This is in line with federal copyright standards where the originality requirement necessitates a minimal degree of creativity.
In Missouri, as per the principles established in Feist, copyright protection is denied to purely factual compilations or collections that lack originality in the arrangement or presentation.
The court held that a database of directory information lacked originality and thus did not qualify for copyright protection.
The court ruled that compilation of public records without creative input does not merit copyright protection under Missouri law.
This case affirmed that compilations of educational data are not copyrightable if they do not exhibit originality in expression.
Missouri's approach aligns closely with the federal standard established in Feist, particularly in the insistence on originality for copyright eligibility. However, state courts may interpret specific compilations differently based on local statutory nuances.
Understanding Feist's principles is crucial for the Missouri bar exam, particularly in questions concerning the originality requirement for copyright.