Is my E-Book legally?

[BossaNova]

Hi,

I've downloaded an E-Book. It's author is dead more than 70 years. So the copyright for the Text has expired. But the PDF-Version, that I have, is printed in 1952. Do you know if it is legally for me to possess this Book?

Thank you very much for an answer!

BossaNova

[Malcolmf]

I think you're OK. There is copyright in the typesetting and layout of books in some regions laws, but it doesn't last anywhere as long-- 25 years, in the UK (and probably the rest of the EU) if I recall correctly. So any copyright in the typesetting of a 60 year old book will have expired decades ago.

The author is past caring, and if the scanned edition was printed that long ago, the publishers know they'd get nowhere trying to pursue a legal case. Don't worry.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by BossaNova

Hi,

I've downloaded an E-Book. It's author is dead more than 70 years. So the copyright for the Text has expired. But the PDF-Version, that I have, is printed in 1952. Do you know if it is legally for me to possess this Book?

Thank you very much for an answer!

BossaNova

What country do you live in?

[BossaNova]

@Malcolmf: Thank you!

Originally Posted by HarryT

What country do you live in?

in Germany. Do you know, how it works there?

BossaNova

[Pookeysgirl]

Germany Life + 70 years. 25 years from first publication or first public performance if copyright has expired before such publication or performance, or if the work has never been protected in Germany and the author died more than 70 years before the first publication.

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...pyright_length