Translation - art & business » Money matters »
Royalties for translator
Thread poster: Marcelle Bethancourt
Marcelle Bethancourt
Marcelle Bethancourt  Identity Verified
Panama
Local time: 11:35
Spanish to French
+ ...
Mar 28, 2009

I have heard that when our translations are published or posted on the web (web page), we are entitled to royalties. Is it correct? What percentage can we ask for? I am intending to translate webpages.
 
Katalin Horváth McClure
Katalin Horváth McClure  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 12:35
Member (2002)
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Work for hire - no royalties Mar 28, 2009

Most translation work is done as "work for hire", in which case the translator has no intellectual property rights to the product.


The only case I know where royalties are possible is book translations, based on specific agreements with the author and/or the publisher. But I have never heard of getting royalties for website translations.
 
ahmadwadan.com
ahmadwadan.com  Identity Verified
Saudi Arabia
Local time: 19:35
English to Arabic
+ ...
Exactly Mar 29, 2009

Katalin Horvath McClure wrote:

Most translation work is done as "work for hire", in which case the translator has no intellectual property rights to the product.


The only case I know where royalties are possible is book translations, based on specific agreements with the author and/or the publisher. But I have never heard of getting royalties for website translations.


PBUY,

Exactly, unless you are going to translate a book that is going to be published. If you do not set your terms before handling such cases then your work shall be deemed to "work for hire" rule.

Regards
Ahmed
 
Steven Capsuto
Steven Capsuto  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 12:35
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Varies by country Mar 29, 2009

Katalin Horvath McClure wrote:

Most translation work is done as "work for hire", in which case the translator has no intellectual property rights to the product.



The "work for hire" concept is enshrined in U.S. law but is not universal. It is my understanding that in Spain, for example, there are certain inherent intellectual property rights that a translator cannot sign away. This may be true in some other countries as well.

Where it gets sticky is if the translator is in one country and the client in another. And the international nature of the Internet complicates things further.

However, I'm not a lawyer or an expert on law. It's best to consult an intellectual property lawyer on topics like this.

[Edited at 2009-03-29 15:34 GMT]
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jorge Rodrigues[Call to this topic]
Andriy Bublikov[Call to this topic]
Rita Pang[Call to this topic]
James Heppe-Smith[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Royalties for translator







TM-Town
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business

Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.

More info »
Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »