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Thread: Old Woodwork Book copyright
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19th February 2008, 05:58 PM #1
Old Woodwork Book copyright
Thought I would post this to gage what others think.
Just recently I was reading a book by Roy Underhill ( the woodwrights shop host ) and he refered to an old book called Mechanick Exercises or the Doctrine of Handy Works - Joseph Moxon, anyway this was written in 1667 or somewhere around then ( I'm at work at the moment so the date is from memory ) so I figure that I should be able to find a copy of this online somewhere like Gutenburgh or somewhere similar and check it out to see if it would be something I might want to own and hopefully for free as surely there would not be copyright on something over 300+ years old....
Well I should have known better... apparently it has been re written in more modern english as opposed to old english and re released ( several times ) so I cannot look at this book online but must purchase it
Now don't get me wrong I am not saying we shouldn't pay for things that have been written by someone and are duly copyrighted but a book that is over 300 years old? and it is essentially the same book but modernised language and does this mean if I take an old text from the public domain and translate it or update the language that I can then copyright the material?
Just wondering what everyone thinks.
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19th February 2008, 07:50 PM #2China
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Copyright can be traded and frenquently it is the case that copyright has passed from one to another over the years by this method.
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19th February 2008, 07:58 PM #3
The original copyright has long since gone.
But modern amendments to the original may be entitled to copyright protection.
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19th February 2008, 08:44 PM #4duration of copyright Depending on the type of material the length of protection varies. In most cases, copyright lasts from the time of creation for the life of the creator plus 70 years. After that time, the material enters what is known as the ‘public domain’ where it can be freely used without permission.
Code:Published editions of works Copyright does not subsist by virtue of section 92 in a published edition of a work or works where the first publication of the edition took place before the commencement of this Act.
WolffieLast edited by SAISAY; 19th February 2008 at 08:46 PM. Reason: tidying up
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Cheers
SAISAY
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19th February 2008, 09:28 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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The Early American Industries Association had done a reprint of Moxon which you probably discovered, its now out of print (again) but you can find copies available if you are lucky. Original copies sell for a fortune.
Not sure what you have heard about the text being modernised, As for the english, I understood it was almost a direct reprint, I have a copy and the english isn't really too modern to me at all from my reading. It also uses the old fashioned F for S in the text.
I think at least one of those web sites ? ''Toolemera press'' is reportedly scanning a copy of an original and will probably be available electronically for a fee.
Regards
Steve
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19th February 2008, 10:46 PM #6
The copyright never was and if it had been, it wouldn't be now. Copyright has nothing to do with this issue--the issue is: should it be free or should I have to pay?
Someone took the trouble and expense to either print or scan this book and they want recompense for their trouble. It's simple business. If you can find it for free, go for it. But you seem to be saying that if I post the book on the web I cannot (or at least should not) charge you for downloading it. That's free enterprise, mate. Scan your own copy and sell it.
Copyright has to do with paying it backward, to the original writer. It has ought to do with paying it forward, to the ultimate reader.Cheers,
Bob
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20th February 2008, 12:24 AM #7
It had been my imperfect understanding that preservation of copyright imposed an obligation to make copies available for purchase, and that "out-of-print" status conferred some liberties. Now, I'm not so sure. The situation seems to be in a state of flux, and "out-of-print" status still provides for special treatment. Google [copyright "out of print"] provided some comprehensive discussions: http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/okbooks.html and http://www.utsystem.edu/OGC/intellec...y/copypol2.htm
YMMV - Boy does it ever!
JoeOf course truth is stranger than fiction.
Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain
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20th February 2008, 08:37 AM #8
I sell the occaisional ebook, I'm currently abridging a book about making chests/boxes.
I have even redrawn plans to make them easier to read, and have also drawn metric versions of the plans.
So I hold copyright over all of the abridged works, including the plans of a dozen different boxes.
Will I make money, possibly only a few pennies!
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26th February 2008, 02:35 PM #9
Thanks to everyone who replied, its Interesting to see the thoughts of the forum readers...as for me I know I'll have to purchase the book at some point and think thats fair ( as mentioned earlier someone has gone to the trouble of reprinting etc...) I guess the inner cheapskate in me was hoping for a free lunch or at least a nibble
I had read a review of the original text ( reprint obviously as originals go for thousands ) and it seemed a book that would be interesting to refer to but not neccesarrily read from cover to cover.
Thanks again to everyone for their responses
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26th February 2008, 02:52 PM #10GOLD MEMBER
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There is a 1970 reprint offered by one book seller for $1200 (approx).
A bit cheaper than an original, I found one set (2 volumes) listed for sale at $151,000.Geoff
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