Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
Alan writes: > The only reason he gave was that only the printed version of the book was > covered by the GFDL and that the content on his web site is not. Is there a statement on the Web site (attached in some way to the book) that clearly states that, despite appearances, the book is not licensed under the GFDL? > The HTML version of the book on his web site contains the GNU Free > Document License Version 1.2 dated November 2002 in its entirety as an > addendum. Then the copy you have received from his site is licensed to you under the GFDL. However, if he is the sole author, there is nothing you can do to compel him to give you the texinfo version. The terms of the license apply to you, not to him. -- John Hasler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dancing Horse Hill Elmwood, WI USA ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
> The only reason he gave was that only the printed version of the > book was covered by the GFDL and that the content on his web site > is not. Is there a statement on the Web site (attached in some way to the book) that clearly states that, despite appearances, the book is not licensed under the GFDL? Once again, this has very little relation to the issue. The book, which is represented on the web page, is licensed under the GFDL, the terms of the GFDL apply to the web page as they do to the book. ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
First I would like to thank you all for taking the time to respond to my email message. I really appreciate the feedback I will try, as best I can to address the questions you have asked: Alan: You asked if he had given a reason for his request that I remove his book from my web site. The only reason he gave was that only the printed version of the book was covered by the GFDL and that the content on his web site is not. My assumption is that his motives are primarily financial. In addition to posting of the HTML version of his book on his web site he also has links to Amazon where the printed book can be purchased. If I do decide to decline his request to remove the book I do intend to offer to also include links to the printed version of his book so that he is not deprived of revenue from the print version (and may actually generate more revenue). My web site is non-profit (we do run Google Ads which defray about 20% of the hosting costs but this is very much a hobby for a small group of volunteers and not a business) and I have no desire to take away book sales from the author of this book. You also asked if the HTML itself is the source code for the book, or if it was written in some other language (Texinfo, perhaps) and then converted to HTML. This is a very good question and is something that had not occurred to me before you asked. Having looked at the HTML the version of the book on his web site it is very clear that HTML that has been generated from Texinfo. The HTML on his site, however, is the only electronic, i.e transparent, version of the book he has made available. He has not made the Texinfo source available. The only version of the book that could be considered as "transparent" as described by the GFDL appears to be the HTML on his web page - which is what I am essentially using and allowing others to similarly read and copy from my web site. You also asked why I don't simply agree to his request and I may indeed agree to do so. That said I am a huge advocate of open source in general and the various GNU licenses that have made so much useful software and information available to everyone. As such it goes somewhat against my principles that the author in question released the book under the GFDL but seems not to want others to distribute that useful content for the benefit of a wider audience in the very ways the GFDL was designed to allow. Still emotionally conficted on this point at the moment :). John: You asked what license has been used by the author. The HTML version of the book on his web site contains the GNU Free Document License Version 1.2 dated November 2002 in its entirety as an addendum. Alfred: You asked if I would post the URLs in question either publicly or privately. I would prefer not to post the links publicly out of respect to the author of the book. I do not have his permission to reveal his identity and also don't want to be seen to be promoting my web site in a public forum. I will, however, email you separately with both his URL and my URL. Thanks again for all taking the time to consider my email and provide thoughtful responses to my questions. Regards Neal ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
> I'd be interested to hear if others share my interpretation of > this license or if there is some clause that I have missed. Does > this author have the right to ask me to remove his book from my > web site or am I within my rights to decline given that the book > is covered by the GFDL? What license is attached to the copy of the book on his Web site? The license on the printed copies is relevant only to them. This is actually not true, a printed copy is not a transparant copy. You create the printed works from the transparant one. If the source for the printed copy is located on this web page, then the license that is on the printed works applies equally to the copy that is located on the web page. Cheers. ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
I have a question on the GNU Free Document License. I apologize if I have come to the wrong forum to discuss this (if so perhaps someone would be kind enough to direct me to the correct group should such a group exist). This is as good a place as any if you are looking for non-legal advice. I run a web site that contains a small collection of online books and documents that have been made available by various authors under the GNU Free Document License. For my own curiosity: Could you post a URL (if you wish, you can post it in private)? The author of this book recently contacted me and requested that I remove his book from my web site. He essentially claims that while the printed version of the book is released under the GNU Free Document License the contents of his web site (including the HTML version of the book) is not. As far as I am aware to conform with the GFDL he must make a "transparent" version of his book available for others to use or redistribute. In effect the HTML version of his book on his web site constitutes a "transparent" copy and by taking that content and putting it on my web site I am completely within the rights of the GFDL. I have published only the content of the book and no other content from this person's web site. I have also acknowledged this author's copyright and included the GFDL in the content of the book as required. I have also placed no restrictions on others downloading the book from my web site if they choose to do so. I'd be interested to hear if others share my interpretation of this license or if there is some clause that I have missed. Does this author have the right to ask me to remove his book from my web site or am I within my rights to decline given that the book is covered by the GFDL? As you have explained it, you are allowed to keep the book on your website. The author has ofcourse the right to ask politley if you can remove it, for whatever reason, but you have the legal right to decline. If he has good reasons why he doesn't want to have the book on another website right now, it might be wise to listen, if he doesn't have any reasons at all, it might be wise to not listen. That is, you are in full compliance with section 2 of the GFDL (as I see it). ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
John Hasler wrote: [...] > The license states the conditions under which he, as copyright owner, has > granted recipients of copies the right to distribute copies. Recepients of copies have the statutory right to distribute those copies. The copyright owner just can't grant it because it's the statutory limitation on his exclusive distribution right. regards, alexander. ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
nealweston writes: > As far as I am aware to conform with the GFDL he must make a > "transparent" version of his book available for others to use or > redistribute. If he is the sole author of the book he is not required to do anything. The license states the conditions under which he, as copyright owner, has granted recipients of copies the right to distribute copies. > I'd be interested to hear if others share my interpretation of this > license or if there is some clause that I have missed. Does this author > have the right to ask me to remove his book from my web site or am I > within my rights to decline given that the book is covered by the GFDL? What license is attached to the copy of the book on his Web site? The license on the printed copies is relevant only to them. If (and only if) the copy on the author's Web site contains the GFDL then you have his permission to redistribute it under the terms of the GFDL. -- John Hasler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dancing Horse Hill Elmwood, WI USA ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Re: Question about GNU Free Document License
nealweston <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote on 20 Jan 2006 10:46:58 -0800: > Hi All, > I have a question on the GNU Free Document License. I apologize if I > have come to the wrong forum to discuss this (if so perhaps someone > would be kind enough to direct me to the correct group should such a > group exist). > My problem is as follows: > I run a web site that contains a small collection of online books and > documents that have been made available by various authors under the > GNU Free Document License. > In one instance I have taken the HTML version of a book that is clearly > released under the GNU Free Document License (the book contains version > 1.2 of the GFDL) from the author's web site and published it on my web > site. Is the HTML itself the source code for the book, or was it written in some other language (Texinfo, perhaps) and then converted to HTML? > The author of this book recently contacted me and requested that I > remove his book from my web site. He essentially claims that while the > printed version of the book is released under the GNU Free Document > License the contents of his web site (including the HTML version of the > book) is not. Why don't you accede to the (presumably polite) request of the author? Why doesn't he want his book on your site? As far as the license goes, you are at perfect liberty to use the document - it is, after all, a free document. However, you must be ready to supply the source code for it. > As far as I am aware to conform with the GFDL he must make a > "transparent" version of his book available for others to use or > redistribute. In effect the HTML version of his book on his web site > constitutes a "transparent" copy and by taking that content and putting > it on my web site I am completely within the rights of the GFDL. I have > published only the content of the book and no other content from this > person's web site. I have also acknowledged this author's copyright and > included the GFDL in the content of the book as required. I have also > placed no restrictions on others downloading the book from my web site > if they choose to do so. > I'd be interested to hear if others share my interpretation of this > license or if there is some clause that I have missed. Does this author > have the right to ask me to remove his book from my web site or am I > within my rights to decline given that the book is covered by the GFDL? You are within your rights. > Your opinions would be much appreciated - and once again my sincere > apologies if I have raised this issue in the wrong group. Again, why doesn't the author want his book on your website? > Regards > Neal -- Alan Mackenzie (Munich, Germany) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; to decode, wherever there is a repeated letter (like "aa"), remove half of them (leaving, say, "a"). ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
Question about GNU Free Document License
Hi All, I have a question on the GNU Free Document License. I apologize if I have come to the wrong forum to discuss this (if so perhaps someone would be kind enough to direct me to the correct group should such a group exist). My problem is as follows: I run a web site that contains a small collection of online books and documents that have been made available by various authors under the GNU Free Document License. In one instance I have taken the HTML version of a book that is clearly released under the GNU Free Document License (the book contains version 1.2 of the GFDL) from the author's web site and published it on my web site. The author of this book recently contacted me and requested that I remove his book from my web site. He essentially claims that while the printed version of the book is released under the GNU Free Document License the contents of his web site (including the HTML version of the book) is not. As far as I am aware to conform with the GFDL he must make a "transparent" version of his book available for others to use or redistribute. In effect the HTML version of his book on his web site constitutes a "transparent" copy and by taking that content and putting it on my web site I am completely within the rights of the GFDL. I have published only the content of the book and no other content from this person's web site. I have also acknowledged this author's copyright and included the GFDL in the content of the book as required. I have also placed no restrictions on others downloading the book from my web site if they choose to do so. I'd be interested to hear if others share my interpretation of this license or if there is some clause that I have missed. Does this author have the right to ask me to remove his book from my web site or am I within my rights to decline given that the book is covered by the GFDL? Your opinions would be much appreciated - and once again my sincere apologies if I have raised this issue in the wrong group. Regards Neal ___ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
