Legal Definitions - Database Directive

Definition: The Database Directive is a European Commission initiative that was introduced in 1996. It aims to provide uniform copyright protection for databases that contain original content. It also requires a special system of protection for databases that do not qualify for copyright protection because their content is not original. This system is known as the sui generis system.

Example: Let's say a company creates a database of customer information that includes names, addresses, and phone numbers. This database would be eligible for copyright protection under the Database Directive because it contains original content that was created by the company. However, if the same company creates a database that simply compiles publicly available information, such as a list of all the restaurants in a city, this database would not be eligible for copyright protection. Instead, it would be protected under the sui generis system, which provides a different type of legal protection.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Database Directive works in practice. It shows that databases that contain original content are eligible for copyright protection, while those that do not are protected under a different system. This helps to ensure that database creators are able to protect their intellectual property and prevent others from using their work without permission.