Each question consists of legal propositions/ principles (hereinafter referred to as 'principle') and facts. These principles have to be applied to the given facts to arrive at the most reasonable conclusion. Such principles may or may not be true in the real sense, yet you have to conclusively assume them to be true for the purposes of this section. In other words, in answering the following questions, you must not rely on any principles except the principles that are given herein below for every question. Further, you must not assume any facts other than those stated in the question. The objective of this section is to test your interest towards study of law, research aptitude and problem solving ability even if the 'most reasonable conclusion' arrived at may be unacceptable for any other reason. It is not the object of this section to test your knowledge of law.
PRINCIPLE: Under copyright law copyright subsists in original literary works also. A literary work need not be of literary quality. Even so prosiac a work as an index of railway stations or a railway guide or a list of stock exchange quotations qualifies as a literary work if sufficient work has been expended in compiling it to give it a new and original character.
FACTS: Michael works hard enough, walking down the streets, taking down the names of people who live at houses and makes a street directory as a result of that labour.
Correct Answer :
Michael's exercise in making a street directory is sufficient to justify in making claim to copyright in that work which is ultimately produced
Solution :
Correct Answer: Michael's exercise in making a street directory is sufficient to justify in making claim to copyright in that work which is ultimately produced
Explanation:
1. Analysis of the Principle:
Under copyright law, copyright subsists in original literary works, regardless of their literary quality or artistic value. Even a prosaic or routine compilation—such as a railway guide, index, or stock market list—qualifies as a literary work if sufficient labor, skill, and effort have been expended in gathering and organizing the information to give it a new and original character.
2. Application to the Facts:
In the given scenario, Michael works hard by physically walking down the streets, taking down the names of residents, and compiling this gathered information into a structured street directory. Applying the principle, the substantial physical and mental effort expended by Michael in compiling this directory gives it an original character sufficient to qualify it as a protected literary work.
3. Conclusion:
Hence, Michael's effort and labor in making the street directory are sufficient to justify a valid claim to copyright in the resulting work.
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