Re: who owns an English language translation?

On 4/6/2000, Cynde A. Hale <cyndeh[_at_]dawnsign.com> wrote:
>
> Who owns the copyright for an English Language version of a foreign
> text? Is it the author of the original text or is do the translators
> own the copyright in their derivative work?

What does the underlying author publisher agreement say? Does the publisher have the contractual right to authorize the translation? Even if it is a derivative work, if it was not made with appropriate authorization, it is not usable (assuming of course the underlying work is protected).

There are lots of articles on my site that may assist you. Click on "Articles for Authors and Publishers."

IVAN HOFFMAN, B.A., J.D.
Attorney At Law
Lawyering With Integrity (sm)
Internet Law, Writing and Publishing Law, Web Design Contracts and Law, Copyrights, Trademarks, Business Plans, Web Site Audits, Recording and Music Law. *A Four Times Award-Winning Site.* http://www.ivanhoffman.com/
<ivan[_at_]ivanhoffman.com> Received on Fri Apr 07 2000 - 15:11:15 GMT