Am I allowed to translate other people's texts and publish them as my own?
May 25, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear copyright lawyer,
My name is Karl Albrecht and I have a question regarding copyright law. I am planning to translate foreign texts and publish them as my own. Is this legally possible?
Background information: I am a passionate translator and have already gained some experience in this field. Now I would like to translate foreign texts to make them accessible to a wider audience. My goal is not financial gain, but rather to make the content available to more people.
Current situation: I have already translated some texts and now I am wondering if I can publish them without any issues. I am unsure if I may be violating copyright law and need to fear legal consequences.
Concerns: I am worried that my translations could lead me into legal trouble. I want to ensure that I respect the rights of the original authors and do not violate any laws.
Question about possible solutions: Is there a legal way to translate and publish foreign texts? What steps do I need to take to ensure that I do not commit copyright infringements? Are there exceptions or specific regulations that allow me to translate and publish foreign texts?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Karl Albrecht
Dear Mr. Albrecht,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding copyright in relation to translating and publishing foreign texts. It is important to consider the legal framework in this area in order to avoid copyright infringement.
In general, copyright protects the rights of the author of a work. This means that a translation of a foreign text is considered as your own work and is therefore also subject to copyright. In order to translate and publish foreign texts, you will need the permission of the original author or an appropriate license.
There are various ways to obtain such permission. You can contact the author directly and request their approval for the translation. In many cases, authors are open to translations of their works, especially if it means reaching a wider audience. Alternatively, you can also look for existing licenses that allow you to translate and publish certain texts.
It is important to note that there is no general exception in copyright law that allows for translating and publishing foreign texts without permission. Therefore, it is advisable to take the necessary steps beforehand to ensure that you do not infringe on copyright.
In your case, since your intention is not for financial gain and you simply want to make the content accessible to a broader audience, it may be possible to obtain the authors' permission. However, be transparent about your intentions and respect the rights of the original authors.
I recommend that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with copyright regulations and seek legal advice if necessary to ensure that you are on the safe side. It is better to obtain all necessary permissions in advance than to potentially face legal consequences later on.
I hope this information is helpful and I am available for any further questions.
Sincerely,
Chloé Tressel, Copyright Attorney
