Database rights were created by Directive 96/9/EC (the Database Directive), with the aim of encouraging and protecting the investment in databases. A database is defined in the legislation as “a collection of independent works, data or other materials which are arranged in a systematic or methodical way and are individually accessible by electronic or other means”, and qualifies for protection if there has been a “substantial investment” in obtaining, verifying or presenting the contents of the database.  Broadly speaking, a person infringes the database right if they extract or re-utilise all or a substantial part of the contents of a protected database without the consent of the owner.