Interesting ruling about copyright

[cmmora]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/appe...ingement-case/

"The decision reaffirms that historical facts are not protected by copyright, and that "the only concrete or articulable similarities between Ashes to Glory and We Are Marshall consist of unprotectible scenes a faire, and historical facts, which, like all facts, whether scientific, historical, biographical or news of the day may not be copyrighted and are part of the public domain available to every person.-"

As one commenter mentioned...

Raises the question: why buy/sell life rights?

[MrEarbrass]

Re: Interesting ruling about copyright

Raises the question: why buy/sell life rights?

So you don't get sued for libel.

[wcmartell]

Re: Interesting ruling about copyright

You are buying the verification of facts. "Yes, that's what happened and that's what I said" as opposed to "I never did that! I never said that! I'm calling my lawyer!"

(unless you can prove they said it and did it - trial transcripts work well if it's a true crime story.)

- Bill