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George, let me try to rephrase this clearly.

From what is being said, one could boil it down to:

"The USNO does not actually publish their own almanac tables, but only inserts 
some cover matter around the British HMNAO tables. So the USNO are simply 
acting as agents for the British and, as they are agents not authors, 
copyright is not what it would be for a US author."

That's one issue to bed.



That's something else entirely. If one copies the *layout* of tables, it is 
unlikely to be copyright infringement due to the exemption for basic graphic 
materials. The specific example of this is a typical calendar layout, rows of 
seven days times 5 weeks, more or less. That "design" cannot be copyrighted. 
However, once you go beyond the basic utility of the design, if you start 
replicating those areas like typefaces, you are more likely to be found in 
violation. The finding is not a point of law, but a judicial finding on the 
specifics of the matter.

I could probably make a case for saying "The basic layout of these tables is 
100 years old, and the entire community of navigators worldwide has been 
trained to use the physical layout. Therefore, the layout is as a calendar, 
and exempt." But I'm never dare to try setting the matter with the exact same 
type. With upwards of 100,000 typefaces available on the market today, that 
would be like flying a mylar kite in a lightning storm. And graphically, I'm 
sure that the table matter itself could be presented in better form. Clearer, 
perhaps tighter, certainly using some of the skills of graphic design--which 
HMNO weren't paid to do.

Since the actual "heart" of the almanac is simply the result of repetitive 
mathematical iteration, it is not creative work and unless the actual formula 
was protected (yes, there are protections for formulas too) anyone should be 
able to set up a loop on a computer and print out results to their heart's 
delight.

Being neither a barrister, solicitor, Crown Counsel, or simple lawyer, I make 
no argument and give no advice except to say that in theory I should be 
capable of reading and understanding what my government has posted on this. 
And, at least I've read them.

   

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