[net.legal] question about copyrighting public domain works

phr@ucbvax.berkeley.edu (Paul Rubin) (02/26/86)

My copy of "Kidnapped" says something like "Copyright 1973 Bambi Book"
opposite the title page.  This seems bizarre to me.  "Kidnapped" was
written by Robert Louis Stevenson in the 1880's.

How do they do it?  What have they copyrighted?

drears@ardc.arpa (FSAC) (02/26/86)

Paul:

      The Bambi Book company can not copyright the story. However if there are
any illustrations they can be copyrighted. I also believe that if the work is
changed or formatted differently they can copyright the the changes or
format. I am not a lawyer so just take that as my personnal opinion.

   Dennis