Are addresses Copywrited

[ganderla]

I am making a site that has quite a few addresses on it. To get these addresses I have to go to other sites to find them. Can I just use them?

[engine]

It's unlikely the address in itself is copyrighted, however, the website content will be covered by copyright.

If you are researching for a database, the data collection is not a problem, unless you are taking it from someone else's database. Taking someone else's data without permission is theft.

It's how you use the data which may be an issue.
Each country has differing laws regarding data retention and use. For example, in the UK we have the data protection act.

You might find this piece about fair use [utsystem.edu] of interest.

[BigDave]

In the US, the addresses cannot be copyrighted, as they are facts.

You could find yourself in other legal troubles if you are copying huge amounts of data from other sites, or copying the database itself.

Engine, infringement is never theft. They are very distinct illegal activities, and referring to infringement as theft does not help with understanding of the legal issues.