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Translating for free and publishing it online
Thread poster: Coreano
Coreano
Coreano
United States
Korean to English
+ ...
Oct 10, 2009

I would like to translate some old books out of copyright. If I put it online for free, I think somebody could edit it a little and then publish it, making them have the copyrights for it while I would have done 90% of the work. Has anything like this happened before in the translator's world?
 
Alexandra Goldburt
Alexandra Goldburt
Local time: 02:29
English to Russian
+ ...
Wishing you luck Oct 14, 2009

Coreano wrote:

I would like to translate some old books out of copyright. If I put it online for free, I think somebody could edit it a little and then publish it, making them have the copyrights for it while I would have done 90% of the work. Has anything like this happened before in the translator's world?


I have thought about it myself, but never had it realized for the luck of time. I think, however, that it doesn't necessarily have to be for free. I think it is possible to find some old books that will interest enough readers for you to be able to sell them. Maybe old children's stories? Just a thought...

If you actually do it, please let me know how it went for you.
 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 11:29
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Translating stuff that's out of copyright Oct 14, 2009

Coreano wrote:
I would like to translate some old books out of copyright. If I put it online for free, I think somebody could edit it a little and then publish it, making them have the copyrights for it while I would have done 90% of the work.


My logic tells me that if you translate something that's out of copyright, you are no longer a translator but an author, as far as copyright permissions go. But even if your translation is regarded by your country's laws as a translation, you would still own the copyright on the translation, and no-one can republish it (even if edited) without your permission. Whether you can prevent someone, is a different matter.
 


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Translating for free and publishing it online







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