Translation - art & business » Getting established »
Translating for free and publishing it online
Thread poster: Coreano
Coreano
Coreano
United States
Korean to English
+ ...
Oct 10, 2009

I would like to translate some old books out of copyright. If I put it online for free, I think somebody could edit it a little and then publish it, making them have the copyrights for it while I would have done 90% of the work. Has anything like this happened before in the translator's world?
 
Alexandra Goldburt
Alexandra Goldburt
Local time: 11:04
English to Russian
+ ...
Wishing you luck Oct 14, 2009

Coreano wrote:

I would like to translate some old books out of copyright. If I put it online for free, I think somebody could edit it a little and then publish it, making them have the copyrights for it while I would have done 90% of the work. Has anything like this happened before in the translator's world?


I have thought about it myself, but never had it realized for the luck of time. I think, however, that it doesn't necessarily have to be for free. I think it is possible to find some old books that will interest enough readers for you to be able to sell them. Maybe old children's stories? Just a thought...

If you actually do it, please let me know how it went for you.
 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 20:04
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Translating stuff that's out of copyright Oct 14, 2009

Coreano wrote:
I would like to translate some old books out of copyright. If I put it online for free, I think somebody could edit it a little and then publish it, making them have the copyrights for it while I would have done 90% of the work.


My logic tells me that if you translate something that's out of copyright, you are no longer a translator but an author, as far as copyright permissions go. But even if your translation is regarded by your country's laws as a translation, you would still own the copyright on the translation, and no-one can republish it (even if edited) without your permission. Whether you can prevent someone, is a different matter.
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jorge Rodrigues[Call to this topic]
Rita Pang[Call to this topic]
James Heppe-Smith[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Translating for free and publishing it online







TM-Town
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business

Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.

More info »
Trados Business Manager Lite
Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio

Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.

More info »