Legal Terms

compilation

For copyright purposes, a work formed by selecting and assembling preexisting materials (generally facts or data unprotected by copyright) in a unique way to form an original work of authorship. A database is a good example of a compilation. A compilation must have some creative aspects -- such as the way it is organized and the materials selected for inclusion -- to qualify for copyright protection. For example, a list of favorite Web sites including the word "gelatin," arranged by category, would be rather creative, while a phone directory would not.