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  • From: jo ellen meyers sharp <hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net>
  • To: gardenwriters-on-gardening <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [gwl-g] Copyright on germination instructions?
  • Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 11:40:31 -0600

Title: Re: [gwl-g] Copyright on germination instructions?
Sheri -- I understand your dilemma; however, I'm pretty sure than anything as you describe would be considered copyright. As one of the other GW members said, it is how the words are strung together that makes it copyright.

In the instance you site, you might say something like:

Peat moss is recommended for sowing these seeds. Seeds should germinate in about a month when the temperature range is 65 to 85 degrees F. Transplant seedlings into a mixture of sterile potting soil and peat moss and place them in a sunny window where the venitlation is good. Transplant outdoors in late spring. Best in part sun. Hardy in Zones 9 - 12 (hardy to 22 degree F/5 degree C.

Even with the above, I have questions as the reader. When transplanting to sterile soil and peat moss, what size pots should those be? Are we talking soil temperature (65 to 85 degrees) or ambient air temp? Are these transplanted in the ground or in containers or?

Most likely, seed packets, catalog descriptions, Web sites and any other published materials are copyright. You can source the info by staying where you get it.

You might be able to contact the seed people, such as Park's, Burpee, etc., and ask if you can reproduce their instructions in whatever form you need.

jems










Would using this in this exact form be considered plagiarism given it is on many sites that sell this seed on the internet as well as on many seed packets?
"Plant seeds in peat moss. Keep at 65-85F. Seeds should germinate in one month. Then pot them in a mixture of peat and sterile potting soil. Grow indoors in a sunny window with good ventilation or outside in partial sun in zones 9-12 (hardy only to 22F/-5C)."
 
I do not feel that this is a copyright infringement because I feel it is knowledge that anyone who has grown this seed would have. What do the rest of you feel about this?
 
It certainly does not have any extra wording that would belong exclusively to someone such as if it were worded like this:
"These seeds should be planted in peat moss. The temperature should be kept at 65-85F for the best germination results. Seeds should germinate in one month but could take longer. Once they have germinated, pot them in a mixture of peat and sterile potting soil. They can be grown indoors in a sunny window with good ventilation or outside in partial sun during the summer months or year round in zones 9-12 (hardy only to 22F/-5C)."
 
Now, am I right or am I wrong to say sample #1 is not a copyrightable paragraph but sample #2 would be?
 
Thanks,
Sheri
 

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-- 
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Garden writer, author, photographer
Region III Director Garden Writers Association
Phone: (317) 251.3261
Fax: (317) 251.8545
E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net



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