Would like feedback about a "Hybrid" book

GrannyGrump · 09-11-2019, 05:06 AM

Throwing this question out for feedback ---

I wanted to rehab and upload to the MR Library a book of Aesop's Fables that was illustrated by the great Arthur Rackham.

Unfortunately, the translation that was used for the "Rackham" edition is probably still under copyright for "Life+70" --- (V.S. Vernon-Jones, probably 1875-1955, biographical data is almost non-existent, and hard to verify.)

So, because I really want to use the Rackham illustrations, I considered using text from another translator, which would have to be the George F. Townsend (1814-1900) translation from 1882. Text is a bit more flowery and dated than the Vernon-Jones translation.

So what is your opinion? Is it total heresy to marry the illustrations to a different text?

Would you read a book which had been assembled in this fashion?

Or would your indignation-meter redline?

(of course, I would add a clear explanatory note on the forum post, and within the book.)

Please share your opinion!

issybird · 09-11-2019, 06:17 AM

It sounds delightful to me. Who wouldn't want the Rackham illustrations?

Love your books, Granny!

GrannyGrump · 09-11-2019, 06:25 AM

Thank you for the opinion.

And thank you much for the compliment!

AlexBell · 09-11-2019, 06:28 AM

I don't see any problem at all, given that you will be giving a statement specifying the source of the illustrations and the source of the text, and that they are different.

I look forward to downloading and reading it.

GrannyGrump · 09-11-2019, 06:32 AM

Thank you, Alex.
Hey, we are building a majority consensus here!

JSWolf · 09-11-2019, 07:54 AM

I say go for it.

doubleshuffle · 09-11-2019, 08:02 AM

+1. Love Rackham.

DiapDealer · 09-11-2019, 09:12 AM

My indignation meter didn't even twitch.

fjtorres · 09-11-2019, 09:15 AM

You are safe in the US because of Fair Use.
Both images and text are PD and the use is transformative but it is safer if you don't replicate the exact formatting and layout of the copyrighted book.

This may not be the case outside the US, where Fair Use is not often a defense.
To be safest, check the indicia.

Depending on date, even the newer book might be PD if it falls within the old US renewal regime.

issybird · 09-11-2019, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Depending on date, even the newer book might be PD if it falls within the old US renewal regime.

Irrelevant for MobileRead library purposes, where the standard is Life+70.

fjtorres · 09-11-2019, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Irrelevant for MobileRead library purposes, where the standard is Life+70.

So even if the book is out of all copyright everywhere it won't be accepted?
Okay.
Good to know.

RobertDDL · 09-11-2019, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

So even if the book is out of all copyright everywhere it won't be accepted?
Okay.
Good to know.

It can't be "out of copyright everywhere," because life+70 is the rule in many (if not most) parts of the world. Under this rule, it can only be in the public domain if the copyright holder explicitly says so.

issybird · 09-11-2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

So even if the book is out of all copyright everywhere it won't be accepted?
Okay.
Good to know.

Which is not what I said or implied.

theducks · 09-11-2019, 12:16 PM

Uh! (not trying to rain on this) aren't the illustrations ALSO copyrighted?
Or is it only text that is Life+70?

doubleshuffle · 09-11-2019, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Uh! (not trying to rain on this) aren't the illustrations ALSO copyrighted?
Or is it only text that is Life+70?

Rackham died in 1939. The illustrations aren't the problem. That's why the question of a "hybrid" ed. arose in the first place.

09-11-2019, 05:06 AM	#1
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,200 Karma: 34977896 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JAPAN (US expatriate) Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	Would like feedback about a "Hybrid" book Throwing this question out for feedback --- I wanted to rehab and upload to the MR Library a book of Aesop's Fables that was illustrated by the great Arthur Rackham. Unfortunately, the translation that was used for the "Rackham" edition is probably still under copyright for "Life+70" --- (V.S. Vernon-Jones, probably 1875-1955, biographical data is almost non-existent, and hard to verify.) So, because I really want to use the Rackham illustrations, I considered using text from another translator, which would have to be the George F. Townsend (1814-1900) translation from 1882. Text is a bit more flowery and dated than the Vernon-Jones translation. So what is your opinion? Is it total heresy to marry the illustrations to a different text? Would you read a book which had been assembled in this fashion? Or would your indignation-meter redline? (of course, I would add a clear explanatory note on the forum post, and within the book.) Please share your opinion!

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09-11-2019, 06:17 AM	#2
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,226 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	It sounds delightful to me. Who wouldn't want the Rackham illustrations? Love your books, Granny!

09-11-2019, 06:25 AM	#3
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,200 Karma: 34977896 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JAPAN (US expatriate) Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	Thank you for the opinion. And thank you much for the compliment!

09-11-2019, 06:28 AM	#4
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	I don't see any problem at all, given that you will be giving a statement specifying the source of the illustrations and the source of the text, and that they are different. I look forward to downloading and reading it.

09-11-2019, 06:32 AM	#5
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,200 Karma: 34977896 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JAPAN (US expatriate) Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	Thank you, Alex. Hey, we are building a majority consensus here!

09-11-2019, 07:54 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I say go for it.

09-11-2019, 08:02 AM	#7
doubleshuffle Unicycle Daredevil Posts: 13,923 Karma: 185041098 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Planet of the Pudding Brains Device: Aura HD (R.I.P. After six years the USB socket died.) tolino shine 3	+1. Love Rackham.

09-11-2019, 09:12 AM	#8
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,549 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	My indignation meter didn't even twitch.

09-11-2019, 09:15 AM	#9
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	You are safe in the US because of Fair Use. Both images and text are PD and the use is transformative but it is safer if you don't replicate the exact formatting and layout of the copyrighted book. This may not be the case outside the US, where Fair Use is not often a defense. To be safest, check the indicia. Depending on date, even the newer book might be PD if it falls within the old US renewal regime.

09-11-2019, 12:16 PM	#14
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,800 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Uh! (not trying to rain on this) aren't the illustrations ALSO copyrighted? Or is it only text that is Life+70?