Next message: Rino van Dam: "Re: Computer generated Almanac"
Rino,
If I were out on the ocean in a small boat, I'd much rather have a
printed copy than an electronic one.
Fred
On Tuesday, Sep 9, 2003, at 16:22 US/Eastern, Rino van Dam wrote:
> Since Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office makes available the
> formulas
> needed to calculate values as they are printed in the NA (in the
> 'AstroNav
> PC...' book), I wouldn't worry too much about reproducing your own NA,
> with
> a layout similar to the original NA.
>
> I suspect they are much more relaxed about it than some members of this
> list... :-) Within a few years the printed Almanac will be a thing of
> the
> past anyway, or at least a very distant second to computer based
> calculations.
>
> Rino
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Navigation Mailing List
> [mailto:]
> On Behalf Of Jared Sherman
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 12:10
> To:
> Subject: Re: Computer generated Almanac
>
> George, let me try to rephrase this clearly.
>
>> From what is being said, one could boil it down to:
>
> "The USNO does not actually publish their own almanac tables, but only
> inserts some cover matter around the British HMNAO tables. So the USNO
> are
> simply acting as agents for the British and, as they are agents not
> authors,
> copyright is not what it would be for a US author."
>
> That's one issue to bed.
>
> <I would feel my toes were being severely trodden-on if someone
> else copied that complex layout in every detail, typeface and all,>
>
> That's something else entirely. If one copies the *layout* of tables,
> it is
> unlikely to be copyright infringement due to the exemption for basic
> graphic
> materials. The specific example of this is a typical calendar layout,
> rows
> of seven days times 5 weeks, more or less. That "design" cannot be
> copyrighted. However, once you go beyond the basic utility of the
> design, if
> you start replicating those areas like typefaces, you are more likely
> to be
> found in violation. The finding is not a point of law, but a judicial
> finding on the specifics of the matter.
>
> I could probably make a case for saying "The basic layout of these
> tables is
> 100 years old, and the entire community of navigators worldwide has
> been
> trained to use the physical layout. Therefore, the layout is as a
> calendar,
> and exempt." But I'm never dare to try setting the matter with the
> exact
> same type. With upwards of 100,000 typefaces available on the market
> today,
> that would be like flying a mylar kite in a lightning storm. And
> graphically, I'm sure that the table matter itself could be presented
> in
> better form. Clearer, perhaps tighter, certainly using some of the
> skills of
> graphic design--which HMNO weren't paid to do.
>
> Since the actual "heart" of the almanac is simply the result of
> repetitive
> mathematical iteration, it is not creative work and unless the actual
> formula was protected (yes, there are protections for formulas too)
> anyone
> should be able to set up a loop on a computer and print out results to
> their
> heart's delight.
>
> Being neither a barrister, solicitor, Crown Counsel, or simple lawyer,
> I
> make no argument and give no advice except to say that in theory I
> should be
> capable of reading and understanding what my government has posted on
> this.
> And, at least I've read them.<G>
>
>
