View Single Post
Old 12-03-2014, 03:13 AM   #9
Ghitulescu
Fanatic
Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ghitulescu ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 563
Karma: 403106
Join Date: Aug 2014
Device: PRS-T1
Well, it's a bit complicated.

First of all, the text as such should be in the public domain, as the author is dead for more than 70 years. If the local laws prescribe more, then it's maybe yes, maybe no, depending on this parameter.

So, if you get a Chapter 3 from any source you're covered entirely.

The commercial books (or electronic books) are covered by copyright (actually ancillary rights, as the copyright lapsed), but this only to the extent of the modifications they made. If they only changed the format (from print to ePub), they can only protect the ePub, but not the text. In other words, if you "steal" the book completely.

And, under certain jurisdictions, like USA, there are also the provisions of "fair use". Here's where the complications start. Some other countries have such exceptions, other/most don't. I do not know very well the copyright laws of the US, but I think you may not qualify for the "fair use" because you fail two of the three (one is enough) conditions - you act in the same business, and -you take a big part.

Nevertheless, the modifications made by them are under copyright (real C) until 70 years after the death of the author. Lacking an original source for Chapter 3 they can claim everything and you can't prove they're bluffing.

Therefore, as long as you find an original Chapter 3, I believe you're ok with the law.
Ghitulescu is offline   Reply With Quote