Hi Dot, hello everybody,
Let's say that I'm interested in creating an online index to Latin dictionaries. My index will include lemmata drawn from many different lexica, in print and out of print. Just the lemmata - not the dictionary entries. What are the copyright implications? Does a lemma in a dictionary count as "intellectual property"? Does reprinting the entire list of lemmata from a dictionary count as infringement?
My interpretation would be that lemmata are part of the word pool one can have from the knowledge of a language. And as you want to point to the lexicon or dictionary it appears to me as a citation which usually is covered by copyright laws as scientific use of a work. And as you are compiling an index of different works you are not really reprinting them but creating another work which should be allowed anyway. If at last you add lemmata on your own you pass the limits of just reusing what has been there already. ;-)
Anyway: These are only opinions and by no means a legal advice.
Or do I really need to talk to a lawyer?
That can't be wrong to have one at hand these days. :-(
Best, Torsten