I have a question on the GNU Free Document License. I apologize if I have come to the wrong forum to discuss this (if so perhaps someone would be kind enough to direct me to the correct group should such a group exist).
This is as good a place as any if you are looking for non-legal advice. I run a web site that contains a small collection of online books and documents that have been made available by various authors under the GNU Free Document License. For my own curiosity: Could you post a URL (if you wish, you can post it in private)? The author of this book recently contacted me and requested that I remove his book from my web site. He essentially claims that while the printed version of the book is released under the GNU Free Document License the contents of his web site (including the HTML version of the book) is not. As far as I am aware to conform with the GFDL he must make a "transparent" version of his book available for others to use or redistribute. In effect the HTML version of his book on his web site constitutes a "transparent" copy and by taking that content and putting it on my web site I am completely within the rights of the GFDL. I have published only the content of the book and no other content from this person's web site. I have also acknowledged this author's copyright and included the GFDL in the content of the book as required. I have also placed no restrictions on others downloading the book from my web site if they choose to do so. I'd be interested to hear if others share my interpretation of this license or if there is some clause that I have missed. Does this author have the right to ask me to remove his book from my web site or am I within my rights to decline given that the book is covered by the GFDL? As you have explained it, you are allowed to keep the book on your website. The author has ofcourse the right to ask politley if you can remove it, for whatever reason, but you have the legal right to decline. If he has good reasons why he doesn't want to have the book on another website right now, it might be wise to listen, if he doesn't have any reasons at all, it might be wise to not listen. That is, you are in full compliance with section 2 of the GFDL (as I see it). _______________________________________________ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
