copyrighted descriptions

[JOSEPH E. LAFERRIERE]

The problem with descriptions of living organisms being
copyrighted is that they are neither prose nor poetry but
rather mere descriptions of something that cannot even
be owned, much less copyrighted. If a plant has palmate
leaves, I am obligated to say "leaves palmate" or
"hojas palmatas" or "folia palmata." I cannot say
"Leaves pinnate" simply to avoid looking as if I am
plagarizing someone else's work.
   To answer Susan's original question, the law in the
US used to say that anything older than 26 years old
is public domain and free to be quoted. I think they
changed the length of time several years ago, but I am
not sure. If in doubt, a simple note to the author or
publisher of the original description will solve the
problem. I'll bet you $10 nobody says no. Even on an
older piece for which the copyright has expired, I'd
suggest such a note anyway just to be polite, if the author
is still alive.

--
Dr. Joseph E. Laferriere
"Computito ergo sum ...  I link therefore I am."