Protecting Works of Fact

With the year 2000 in sight, the information industry is changing into second gear. New information services are introduced each day, using telecommunications networks or newly developed carrier media. Factual information, such as stock market data, weather reports, topographical data and business news, is rapidly becoming a very valuable commodity. And wherever business is booming, piracy is looming.

Can copyright law provide adequate protection? Is there a conflict between a copyright in works of fact and the freedom of expression? Are information monopolies compatible with the EEC Treaty?

''Protecting Works of Fact'' is about these and other dilemmas of information law. The book contains a collection of articles written by legal scholars and practitioners. Most articles were originally presented at the Copyright in Information Conference of the Institute for Information Law (University of Amsterdam), which was held in Amsterdam on December 1, 1989. In addition, the book contains a general introduction to information law.

''Protecting Works of Fact'' is the first volume of the Information