I normally avoid the discussion of copyright law as to me it is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Nevertheless, I am compelled to note that the Texas State Legislature maintains that public information may be copyrighted. Specifically Section 2054.052(e) of the Government Code provides that the Department of Information Resources may: (e) The department may: (1) acquire, apply for, register, secure, hold, protect, and renew under the laws of the State of Texas, the United States, any state in the United States, or any nation: (B) a copyright for an original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which it can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device; To see the statute in context, go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/gv.toc.htm and, from there, Chapter 2054. Paul R. Scott, CA, CRM Records Management Officer Harris County, TX A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>