Copyright infringement

[bndr]

Hello I have a question:
Is it legal to find an article on a popular site,translate it,change some wording and publish it to my site as my own content?
I would like to get as much information on this as possible.

Thank you.

[Michael Oksa]

Hi bndr,

I don't understand all of the legalities, but what you are talking about is plagiarism, and it could get you sued.

Expend your energies writing in your own words, or hiring someone to do it for you.

All the best,
Michael

[Marige]

bndr,

This is a valid question. And Michael is right about the "re-write" in your own words idea. But--

Your BEST bet is to ADD entirely new and unique content to your article. This will make it a much hotter property than just re-hashing standard ideas.

So, while it's a good idea to read other articles on a topic, what's best is to read them with the question "what can I add to this concept" in the back of your mind.

IF you have something to add, then go to it.

Marige

[bndr]

But If I read an article and rewrite in different language and in my own words,will that be considered plagiarism?

[bndr]

Originally Posted by Marige

bndr,

This is a valid question. And Michael is right about the "re-write" in your own words idea. But--

Your BEST bet is to ADD entirely new and unique content to your article. This will make it a much hotter property than just re-hashing standard ideas.

So, while it's a good idea to read other articles on a topic, what's best is to read them with the question "what can I add to this concept" in the back of your mind.

IF you have something to add, then go to it.

Marige

But U.S Websites have information that is not known to people who read my website,so it is considered NEW INFORMATION here.

[Jeff Henshaw]

You could get into trouble by doing as you suggest.

To avoid being accused of copyright infringement, you need at the very least to research several separate sources of information on the same and/or similar topic(s) and then write the article in your own words, with your own "take" on the topic.

If you feel that you must use certain of the information that you have discovered on a "word for word" basis, or you simply cannot change some of the information without losing the "thrust" of the article, then you must accredit the original source. Failure to do this would be plagirism.

Another course of action would be to approach the writer of the article that you want to reproduce and try and purchase a license, or private label rights.

Regards,
Jeff Henshaw.

[bndr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Henshaw

You could get into trouble by doing as you suggest.

To avoid being accused of copyright infringement, you need at the very least to research several separate sources of information on the same and/or similar topic(s) and then write the article in your own words, with your own "take" on the topic.

If you feel that you must use certain of the information that you have discovered on a "word for word" basis, or you simply cannot change some of the information without losing the "thrust" of the article, then you must accredit the original source. Failure to do this would be plagirism.

Another course of action would be to approach the writer of the article that you want to reproduce and try and purchase a license, or private label rights.

Regards,
Jeff Henshaw.

What about rewriting articles?You rewrite articles and don't worry about being sued. That's pretty much the same, but in my situation I change:
1.The Language
2.The wording
3.The style of writing

And the articles that I rewrite are on a topic that is very abstract and doesn't have much details (The topic is: dating advice)

Thank you.

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by Marige

bndr,

This is a valid question. And Michael is right about the "re-write" in your own words idea. But--

Your BEST bet is to ADD entirely new and unique content to your article. This will make it a much hotter property than just re-hashing standard ideas.

So, while it's a good idea to read other articles on a topic, what's best is to read them with the question "what can I add to this concept" in the back of your mind.

IF you have something to add, then go to it.

Marige

Hi Marige,

Just to be clear, I said "writing in your own words", that is not the same as re-writing. He was asking if he could rewrite, and I suggested that would be called plagiarism.

So, I am not talking about rewriting, but writing in your own words.

-----

bndr,

It doesn't matter if people in your country don't know this information.

You couldn't say, "nobody in my country drinks Coca-Cola, so I think I will make some and sell it".

Besides, are you the only person in your country with Internet access? If not, then they have access to the sae information.

What you re talking about is plagiarism, no matter how you try to justify it.

Also, I can say for a fact that there ARE dating articles that do have a lot of details.

Stop trying to justify it, and do it the right way.

All the best,
Michael

[Jeff Henshaw]

bndr,

You have asked the forum for advice and warriors are taking the time to reply and give you advice, based on their knowledge and experience.

It is for you to decide whether or not the advice given is worthy of your serious consideration.

At the end of the day, it is your decision as to how you want to run your business.

Regards,
Jeff Henshaw.

[bndr]

Ok thank you everyone for your help. I will read my countries copyright laws and see what I can do.

Once again thank you.

[Michael Taylor]

Hhhmm...I think the laws that protect the written material in question would be the country of origin...not your country's laws.

[bndr]

Originally Posted by Michael Taylor

Hhhmm...I think the laws that protect the written material in question would be the country of origin...not your country's laws.

Ok then can anyone please give me a link to a site where I can read OFFICIAL copyright laws or something.

Thank you.

[TimRobinson]

Unless there are specific numbers and facts in an article, I highly doubt anyone (even someone fluent in the language you are translating into) will realize the article is copied off of another one (let alone if you reworded it).

Just translating would probably be rewriting enough. Going from english to english is bad but a whole new language I doubt they would care (unless they also advertise to speakers of that language).

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by TimRobinson

Unless there are specific numbers and facts in an article, I highly doubt anyone (even someone fluent in the language you are translating into) will realize the article is copied off of another one (let alone if you reworded it).

Just translating would probably be rewriting enough. Going from english to english is bad but a whole new language I doubt they would care (unless they also advertise to speakers of that language).

Hi Tim,

On the surface that seems like a good point, but I'd like to add a small distinction.

The original author may not know or find out, but they would care that someone else is profiting from their work. That's what makes it a questionable practice.

----------

Hi bndr,

With all of the time you have spent trying to convince us that it's okay to do what you plan on doing, you could have already had a lot written.

Obviously you seem to know something about the subject, otherwise you wouldn't be able to make your previous judgment about how un-specific the information is.

In other words, spend your resources moving forward; not looking into international copyright law.

All the best,
Michael

[Kay King]

bndr -

No, it's not OK - no matter how many excuses you use.

It's up to you how you build your site and business but using copyrighted articles as PLR material (which you said you are doing in another thread) is not acceptable.

Buy some PLR articles and rewrite them - or write your own material. Or continue as you are and risk having your site and business discredited at some point in the future.

Your concern doesn't seem to be with what is acceptable or legal - but in what you can get by with.

kay

[bndr]

Originally Posted by Kay King

bndr -

No, it's not OK - no matter how many excuses you use.

It's up to you how you build your site and business but using copyrighted articles as PLR material (which you said you are doing in another thread) is not acceptable.

Buy some PLR articles and rewrite them - or write your own material. Or continue as you are and risk having your site and business discredited at some point in the future.

Your concern doesn't seem to be with what is acceptable or legal - but in what you can get by with.

kay

I am not using copyrighted articles as PLR material.I just translate an article, then REWRITE IT. So even if the original author found out about this work he would not recognize it.

Well no problem, I already figured out a way to do things right.

oh and

P.S The articles are just being posted on my blogs and not used for any commercial purposes except Adsense but I don't think that it adsense counts as "me making money from articles."

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by bndr

I am not using copyrighted articles as PLR material.I just translate an article, then REWRITE IT. So even if the original author found out about this work he would not recognize it.

Well no problem, I already figured out a way to do things right.

oh and

P.S The articles are just being posted on my blogs and not used for any commercial purposes except Adsense but I don't think that it adsense counts as "me making money from articles."

Hi bndr,

The copyright is effective as soon as the words are written. There does not have to be actual copyright notice or copyright symbol for there to BE a copyright.

It doesn't matter how you use them, on a blog, as part of an ebook, or whatever.

And, yes, using someone else's writing to earn AdSense revenue would be earning money.

My suggestion would be to contact each author and ask them personally if you can translate the material. Then get it in writing.

In your first post you said...

Is it legal to find an article on a popular site,translate it,change some wording and publish it to my site as my own content?

How is that not trying to pass off someone else's work as your own? Sure, translating takes work, but that doesn't make the work your own.

Anyway, my guess is that none of this helped you at all. I get the impression that you are mostly ignoring any advice that goes against what you plan on doing. And if you aren't ignoring it, your making excuses to justify something that is morally questionable.

Wishing you every success,
Michael

p.s. Remember, you are the one who asked.

[Josh Anderson]

No. Its is not legal.

P.S The articles are just being posted on my blogs and not used for any commercial purposes except Adsense but I don't think that it adsense counts as "me making money from articles."

Yes it does. That is commercial activity.

Also even if you were not using the content commercially just translating and changing some of the words still constitutes copyright infringement.

People who infringe on copyright and operate their business in this dishonest way throw their credibility out the window.

Suggesting you are planning on doing such activities also negatively brands you on this forum as someone not to be trusted and as a thief.

I am not using copyrighted articles as PLR material.I just translate an article, then REWRITE IT. So even if the original author found out about this work he would not recognize it.

Think of it in a different way... what you described is what some car thieves do. They steal the car, chop it up for parts, or repaint it, try to conceal its identity etc.

But they are still car thieves.

I suggest you take an honest legitimate approach to business.

Criminals are not too popular here in the WF. And asking for advice on how to best get away with your illegal activities... well that's down right ______.

[Kay King]

In another thread you asked:

If I translate articles and change the wording(40% of article) can I be sued?

I am not using copyrighted articles as PLR material.I just translate an article, then REWRITE IT. So even if the original author found out about this work he would not recognize it.

And you are still missing the point. PLR articles ARE to be changed so that you can have your own unique article.

Rewriting a copyrighted article is not acceptable. Translation has nothing to do with it. Do what you want - but don't expect marketers here to tell you it's acceptable or legal.

kay

[Jeffrey Louis]

Originally Posted by bndr

Hello I have a question:
Is it legal to find an article on a popular site,translate it,change some wording and publish it to my site as my own content?
I would like to get as much information on this as possible.

Thank you.

I'll write quality articles for you at a good price just check my resource box.

Jeffrey

[Floyd Fisher]

Originally Posted by bndr

Hello I have a question:
Is it legal to find an article on a popular site,translate it,change some wording and publish it to my site as my own content?
I would like to get as much information on this as possible.

Thank you.

You do that, and you are basically asking to get your ass kicked.

Your readers catch you, and you lose creditibility. The author finds out, and you get a DCMA request and a site shutdown or worse.

You're better off getting permission from the author to do a straight translation (most would jump for joy at the additional exposure), giving them credit for writing it in the first place, and give yourself credit for translating it.

Now you're bases are covered, and you're transparent and honest with your readers. The best of both worlds IMHO.

[LB]

I'm the kind of person that sues you when you take my work and try to rewrite it as your own.

There are lots of people like me. Maybe you'll find one the hard way, maybe you won't.

Is it worth guessing?

[bndr]

Ok everyone thank you for information.
Josh Anderson,I'm not asking for a way to get away with what I am doing (I translated about 5 articles and already deleted them and I'm not doing this anymore) I was just asking is there A WAY to do it LEGALLY,as I found out there is none.

Thank you for your time.
Good luck.