Copyright and production of simplified readers

Dear all,

I have just joined this list because I hope someone will be kind enough to answer a question.

Some colleagues and I would like to create simplified readers for second language learners. We would take an existing novel and rewrite the story using simple words, adding translations and notes. The thing would be sold as a booklet, with a cd-rom containing audio files and the electronic files of our story.

Our questions are:

1) since we are writing our own version of the story, there should be no copyright problems. Still, we are summarizing someone else's novel. What are we supposed to do with regards to copyright?
2) Can we use the title of the original novel and the author's name, while still making clear that this is a simplified version and not the original novel?
3) if neither of these is possible, is it possible to use novels by authors who are dead, or in countries not covered by copyright?

Apologies for very basic questions, we are completely naive. Thank you very much for any help!

Benedetta Bassetti Received on Mon Apr 10 2006 - 23:50:45 GMT