disregard

Out of semi-idle curiosity, does anyone know if it is illegal to republish factual information in your own words? Is it copyright infringement if you learn material purported to be factual, and then republish that information in your own words for the purpose of making a profit?

For example, if I read a book on google optimization, and then decide to write one which contains predominantly the same information, who would win in court if I were sued? What law might I be breaking (copyright, or something else?), and if it is not copyright infringement, is there a way to protect a work a write from being taken in this way if the information is non-fiction, and factual?

What if my facts are "new information" that has never been published before?

What if I publish a directory?

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house o' fart