Can workouts be copyrighted?

[randomguy42]

Hello all!

I have a question in regards to workouts from a website being considered copyrighted material.

It has been my assumption that much like recipes (ex: 2 cups of milk, 3 sticks of butter, etc..) that a workout cannot be copyright. Is this true?

The question is being asked because I know a person who may have used workouts from a free public website in an application and the owners of the website have accused him of theft.

Thanks for your time.

 

[justalayman]

define: free public website



define:

used workouts from a free public website

 

[randomguy42]

Sure,

"define: free public website"=

its a website that has no fees to view the workout data and anyone can view the data without registration.

"define: used workouts from a free public website" = he may have taken the workouts from the website and included them into an application.

 

[quincy]

Facts are not copyrightable. How those facts are expressed or presented can be. And the website page itself is copyrightable and, if copyrighted, cannot be reproduced in its entirety, or possibly in part, without infringement.

Whether the workout itself is rights-protectable depends on the workout.

An example: A website that shows steps on doing sit-ups can be rights-protected, because the expression of the steps are protectable, even when the process of doing sit-ups would not be protectable.

 

[randomguy42]

Sir,

here is an example of a workout:

6 rounds for time:
8 sit ups,
10 bench press (85#),
7 dead lifts (225#).


so by factual expression, do you mean (7 dead lift (225#)) VS (7 dead lifts at 225lbs)

or is that so similar that its not considered factual expression?

also, thank you for your responses and any and all other responses.

 

[quincy]

Sir,

here is an example of a workout:

6 rounds for time:
8 sit ups,
10 bench press (85#),
7 dead lifts (225#).

That does not really tell me much.

The order of the steps, however, can be rights-protected. The selection of exercises used in the workout can be rights-protected.

Whenever you are threatened with legal action over the infringement of another's rights, it can be good reason to see an attorney for a review of the facts. Your friend may have reason to worry about a lawsuit or he could very well be within his rights to duplicate the workout in his application.

 

[TheGeekess]

Hello all!

I have a question in regards to workouts from a website being considered copyrighted material.

It has been my assumption that much like recipes (ex: 2 cups of milk, 3 sticks of butter, etc..) that a workout cannot be copyright. Is this true?

The question is being asked because I know a person who may have used workouts from a free public website in an application and the owners of the website have accused him of theft.

Thanks for your time.

What US state?

 

[justalayman]

just for clarity sake: he has not used any video excerpts from the site, correct?





he is basically taking their workout schedule/routine and using it on his site, correct?

 

[randomguy42]

What US state?

For my friend or the website?

 

[randomguy42]

just for clarity sake: he has not used any video excerpts from the site, correct?





he is basically taking their workout schedule/routine and using it on his site, correct?

YES, no videos and no routine/schedule. The site just provides and extensive list of workouts and he may have used some of them. The workouts themselves (workout 1, workout 2, etc..) were not in any specific order on the website.

 

[quincy]

All states involved - including your state.

 

[randomguy42]

All states involved - including your state.

Well, im not sure what state the website is in. My friend is in Kansas.

UPDATE:

looks like the website is from canada.

 

[quincy]

And you are in Kansas, as well? What is the name of your U.S. state?

 

[randomguy42]

And you are in Kansas, as well?

could you please explain how my state matters. Im not sure if I feel comfortable saying where I live on a public forum.

Please don't take offense to this

 

[quincy]

The state name is asked of all posters here. Please don't take offense at the question.