Rockford Map Publishers, Inc. v. Directory Service Co.

768 F.2d 145 (1985)

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Rockford Map Publishers, Inc. v. Directory Service Co.

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
768 F.2d 145 (1985)

SC

Facts

Rockford Map Publishers, Inc. (plaintiff) created plat maps delineating parcels of land. Rockford began with aerial photographs produced by the Department of Agriculture, tracing topographical data from the photographs. Next, Rockford drew in municipal boundaries. Finally, Rockford researched individual parcel boundaries by looking at the legal descriptions in each deed. Based on these descriptions, Rockford drew in the metes and bounds of each lot. Directory Service Company (defendant) used Rockford’s maps as a template for its own maps. Directory copied Rockford’s map and then made any corrections it deemed necessary. Rockford brought suit for copyright infringement. The district court ruled in Rockford’s favor. Directory appealed, arguing that Rockford’s maps were not copyrightable.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Easterbrook, J.)

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