[cc-community] How to apply a Creative Commons license to an existing book

Fred Beneson fred.benenson at gmail.com
Thu May 15 23:24:00 EDT 2008


Interesting question.

One quick clarification, can you give an example of the content of the  
book?

If it is close to an accounting of facts (X is the daughter of Y) then  
it may not be copyrightable. For more information on this concept,  
look up the merger doctrine.

Since you are not asking for legal advice, I am not giving it,

F

On May 15, 2008, at 11:06 PM, "Jon Andersen" <janderse at gmail.com> wrote:

> I am a family history enthusiast and would like to assist in making
> unique genealogical books available under a Creative Commons license.
> What is the best way (most legally binding), as a third-party, to help
> the (cooperative) copyright holder of a rare book apply a Creative
> Commons license to it?  They aren't interested in all the effort of
> republishing it at the moment and so that option is out.
>
> Details:
> There was a book on a church history published in 1988 in the U.S.
> (registered with the copyright office) whose copyright holder in the
> book is listed as the church itself; my copy happens to be autographed
> by the author.  However, the online copyright office search lists the
> claimant as the author, not the church.  The author has passed away,
> but a relative of the author has continued maintaining the history of
> the church.  I have contacted the current pastor and he is willing to
> bring the matter before the church governance for approval.  It is up
> to me to provide him with a letter and something to sign.
>
> Is there a boilerplate Creative Commons licensing form somewhere?  I
> want to make it as easy as possible for them - something along the
> lines of "sign here and its done".  I know how to access the
> appropriate license online, but the wrinkle is how to apply the
> license to an existing book in a simple way.
>
> I am not asking for official legal advice.  I would like to know ideas
> you have about something that they could sign to make the book
> available under an Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share-Alike US
> Creative Commons license.
>
> -Jon
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