Database copyright protection does not extend to English and Scottish football fixture lists if they are produced in conditions that leave no room for their authors’ creative freedom, the CJEU has ruled.
The CJEU explained in its March 1 preliminary ruling that the type of effort and skill needed to create football fixture lists does not normally justify protecting them under the European Database Directive.
The English and Scottish football leagues produce fixture lists and Football Dataco is responsible for protecting, marketing and commercialising them.
The league organisers and Football Dataco accused Yahoo UK, bookmaker Stan James and sports information provider Enetpulse of using the football fixture lists for news, information or betting activities without paying compensation.
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CJEU, European Database Directive, fixture lists
