Greetings,
I have a question about how I can grant a license to translate a written article
without granting a license to create any other derivative works.
I am writing an article that I intend to release under a license such as the
Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs license. The license is explained here:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/1.0/
here's the actual license:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/1.0/legalcode
I realize the license is non-free by Debian standards, as I do not wish to allow
it to be modified in any way. That's important to me because the work is in
large part an expression of my opinion, and I am writing it for a largely
political purpose. However, I hope that the Debian community will be
sympathetic to what I have to say in the article, which is:
Links to Tens of Thousands of Legal Music Downloads
http://www.goingware.com/tips/legal-downloads.html
To understand why this is a political document, read these two sections:
Change the Law
http://www.goingware.com/tips/legal-downloads.html#law
Should Copyright Even Exist?
http://www.goingware.com/tips/legal-downloads.html#copyright
Now my question: I wish to encourage translations to languages other than
English. I want to require that any translations be faithful to my original
article, both in the facts presented and the opinions expressed. I want any
translations to fall under the same license as my original document. I'm
willing to allow translators to hold a joint copyright with me on their
translations.
How can I best accomplish this? While I haven't looked into it very hard yet, I
am unaware of a license that provides what I want. The Creative Commons
Attribution-NoDerivs license comes the closest to what I want with the exception
that it doesn't allow for translation.
The Attribution-ShareAlike license _does_ allow for translation, unfortunately
it also allows for derivative works that may alter my expressions of opinion,
and doesn't require translations to be faithful.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/legalcode
The only solution I have been able to find is that I can notify prospective
translators that they can apply personally to me for a license to translate the
document, and I can send them written permission. (According to the CCPL, I
think I'd have to supply this permission in hardcopy, I don't think email would do.)
While not quite what I would like, that would be acceptable. However, I would
need help in drafting a license that granted permission to translate under the
terms I outline above. I would want to have the requirement that the
translation not be published until I had the opportunity to have someone else
fluent in the language check it for accuracy and quality.
Perhaps you can suggest language for such permission, or else direct me to other
licenses.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Mike
--
Michael D. Crawford
GoingWare Inc. - Expert Software Development and Consulting
http://www.goingware.com
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tilting at Windmills for a Better Tomorrow.
"I give you this one rule of conduct. Do what you will, but speak
out always. Be shunned, be hated, be ridiculed, be scared,
be in doubt, but don't be gagged."
-- John J. Chapman, "Make a Bonfire of Your Reputations"
http://www.goingware.com/reputation/
