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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:NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM]
On Behalf Of Jared Sherman
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 12:10
To: NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM
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.



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.

   

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