Re: title for translation of GNU FDL document

[Walter Landry <wlandry@ucsd.edu>]

Oohara Yuuma <oohara@libra.interq.or.jp> wrote:
> [Please Cc: to me because I am not subscribed to the list.]
> 
> I translated Securing Debian HOWTO into Japanese.
> It is licensed under the GNU FDL.  The GNU FDL
> specifies some conditions for modifying the work
> licensed under it, including:
> >       Use in the Title Page
> >       (and on the covers, if any) a title distinct from that of the
> >       Document, and from those of previous versions (which should, if
> >       there were any, be listed in the History section of the
> >       Document).  You may use the same title as a previous version if
> >       the original publisher of that version gives permission.
> I have some questions:
> 1. What is the definition of "a distinct title"?
>    Is a word-to-word translation considered as
>    an enough change?

I think a word-for-word translation is not enough of a change.  The
intent is certainly for a reader to be able to differentiate between
your version and the official version.  You can use a title like
"Securing Debian HOWTO--Unofficial Japanese Translation by Oohara".

You may already know this, but you can't just translate invariant
sections or copyright notices.  You can add translations of the
invariant sections to the invariant sections.  I wouldn't recommend it
though.  I would make it non-invariant.  That way, if there is an
error in the translation, it can be fixed by someone besides you.  Or
you could not translate it at all if you think it is a waste of time
and space.

> 2. When I update the translation, do I have to change
>    the title again?  Since Securing Debian HOWTO is
>    distributed on the net there is no publisher.

When you put it on the web, you are publishing it.  So, you don't have
to change the title again, since section 4a of the GFDL says, in part:

  You may use the same title as a previous version if the original
  publisher of that version gives permission.

Since you're the original publisher of the modified version with that
particular title, you can continue to use that title.

At least, that is my interpretation according to US law.  I don't know
much about Japanese law, though.

Regards,
Walter Landry
wlandry@ucsd.edu