Using data to produce content

[photocroatia]

I am looking at using some data/information that is available on a number of sites and produce some totally different information on my website.

Sorry for sounding so vague I don't want to give the idea away.

Is this breaching copyright as I am not displaying the content that is found on their website, however I will be using the data/information and performing calculations and then displaying it on my own site.

If the same data is found on a number of sites, who has the copyright of that data, the data I want to use I can workout myself it would just take longer.

Thank you.

[goodroi]

Just because multiple websites list the content does not mean the content is unprotected. The websites may share the same owner or the owner may be allowing these websites to post the content. On the other hand this content may be public domain, in which case it is a free for all. You should research to find out who (if anyone) has rights to the content. It is possible to start with content and SIGNIFICANTLY modify it thus creating your own original work which you can own the copyright. Since you were so vauge it isn't really possible to give you a more concise answer.

As for you thinking "I don't want to give the idea away" you should realize that your idea is probably not original. Many people have had ideas for dealing with data from DMOZ, Amazon, Wikis, etc. If there is money to be made it has probably already been done. I would be more worried about setting off the duplicate content filter in the search engines. Good luck.

[dulwich]

If you really are producing something 'totally different' then that's fine isn't it, as if it's totally different why would anyone care ... and any writing process involves researching, goes to various sources and then comes up with something original. But maybe original is the key here. The fact you're worried about copyright suggests you may have a sneaking feeling it ain't 'totally different'.

[photocroatia]

It is totally different information that I am displaying.

I am storing their information in my DB so that I can calculate my information, I wasn't sure that storing information that someone else has to calculate my information is ok or not, I am not displaying their information anywhere on my site.

The other key thing is that it is possible for me to workout their information but it would take longer, so it is common information.

Is it possible for someone to copyright something that anybody can/could workout?

Thank you.