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Question

Can a graphical representation of a system of
linear equations be copyrighted?

Submitted: 295 days and 21 hours ago.
Category: Intellectual Property Law
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information



Already Tried:
I am an author of a prospective textbook on "Linear Causal Modeling with Structural
Equations". I have many "flow-graph" figures in the text, some inspired by other
authors. I use conventional flow-graph ways of symbolizing causal relations
(using arrows) and variables (with boxes for observed variables) and circles for
latent or hypothetical variables. Do I need permission from publishers of similar
graphs to use my graphs which differ slightly in symbols but show the same
relations (My symbols are not mine, but conventional).

Accepted Answer

No mathematical expressions and graphic representations cannot be copyrighted because copyright covers only things that are creative and original, and what you have described would be neither. Also, copyright is focused on artistic expression of some sort like movies, books, poems, photos, music etc and some expressions of software code. Copyright covers the creative & original expression of ideas, but not the ideas themselves. also copyright does not cover utility, only creative expression, so it would be hard to imagine anything related to math being copyrightable unles sit was artwork of some sort.

Picture
Expert: Alex Reese
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 1/31/2009

Lawyer

5 years experience in intellectual property law

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