Several days ago Sheldon Richman noted a lawsuit between the MLB and a fantasy-operated company. The MLB claims to own the names and statistics of the players, and demands that in order to operate a fantasy league, the company must purchase a license.
One wonders if the MLB wins, can the Weather Channel then sue anyone that uses dew point levels, humidity, barometric pressure and amalgam of other environmental measurements? Can gas companies now sue 3rd parties that analyze gas station prices, thereupon posting the location of the cheapest prices? What about movie ticket prices? Grocery store prices? In short, who owns publically accessible statistics?
See also: No More Information Piracy.
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Funny you should mention the Weather Channel… In April 2005, Sen. Santorum introduced a bill to prevent the National Weather Service and NOAA from making weather data (gathered by satellites paid for by taxpayers) from “competing” with Accuweather.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/news/epaper/2005/04/21/m1a_wx_0421.html
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