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Re: What exactly is Derivative ?



No.

A list of references will not render your book a derivative.  

A derivative work is any copyrightable work based on another work such
that the derivative can be said to be a transformation or adaptation of
the first work.  The annotations, editorializations, etc. taken as a whole
constitute an original work of authorship for purposes of the Berne
Convention and the US Copyright Act. 

Does this clear anything up?  

In short, for your work to be a derivative, the Debian Manual you speak of
would have to be a significant part of your work.  Your work would be
origninal if you adapted it, modified it, or transformed it in some way.
A simple reference does not do this.

NatePuri
Certified Law Student
& Debian GNU/Linux Monk
McGeorge School of Law
publisher@ompages.com
http://ompages.com

On Mon, 15 Mar 1999 vaidhy@wwdg.com wrote:

> Hi,
> 
>   I am planning to right a book on Debian. If I read the Debian User's  Manual and add it to the list of references, is my book a derivative ?
> 
> Thanks and Regards,
> Vaidhy
> *--------------------------------------------*
> Alike for those who for Today prepare
> And those that after a Tomorrow stare;
> A Muezzin from Tower of Darkness cries,
> "Fools, your reward is nether here nor there".
>                           - Omar Khayyam 
> *--------------------------------------------*
> 
> 
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