Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary

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Compilation: A work formed by selecting, collecting, and assembling preexisting materials or data. Examples of compilations are databases, anthologies, and collective works. The creative aspects of a compilation -- such as the novel way it is organized and the selection of the materials to be included -- are entitled to copyright protection whether or not the individual parts are in the public domain or are subject to another owners copyright. (See also: database, collective work)