Re: Using freetranslation.mobi to translate .po files
On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 08:49:45AM +0200, Petter Reinholdtsen wrote:
> The most important argument is [...] the fact that that there
> is no terms of service for http://freetranslation.mobi stating
> otherwise, make me assume this service is following the law and
> license of the texts it is given.
>
> If I ask a random person on the street to translate a GPLed text
> fragment, and the person give me a translated text fragment back, will
> the resulting text fragment still be GPLed? Assuming the text
> fragment was copyrightable in the first place, I believe it will be,
> as otherwise the translator would be said to violate the GPL and I
> fail to see what action involved could possibly violate the GPL.
I do not think your argument is sound.
Assume I write a text, publish it under a license which basically says that
everyone translating it ows me EUR 1000, and then ask a random person on the
street to translate it (even without mentioning how it is licensed). Would you
say that I am entitled to any money? My guess is that in all sane jurisdictions
I am not.
In case of the GPL, I think it is you who does not comply: Redistribution
(as in: submitting to a tranlation service) requires you to accompany the
(in this case modified) work with copyright information and a license grant.
If freetranslation.mobi provides no means for you to inform them about
copyright and license, you have no permission to use that service on GPLed
material (unless copyrighted by yourself, or dual licensed, or ...).
I am not a lawyer. This is not law advice. Best regards,
Mark Weyer
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