Using Popular Books in Home Study Course - Writers Forum

raeba · 06-22-2005, 01:44 PM

Hi,

I have a home study program, and I use popular books as the textbooks. I buy the books and include them in with the other course materials. The books are required reading for the course...

As far as I know, this is perfectly legal and ethical, because I am not in any way infringing upon the author's copyright (by using any text as my own...).

Do you know of any REAL problems with doing this? I emphasize 'real' because it is tempting for people to respond who don't really have a clue - they merely make assumptions (or state "you really should get the author's permission'). It appears that this won't be a problem in this forum though. I'd like to hear from someone who knows the law. I've contacted authors directly, and they stated that "an author should be flattered..." However, I'd like a definitive answer.

Thanks for your kind help.

Raeba

mammamaia · 06-23-2005, 08:34 AM

legally, as long as you are only using the whole book as a reading resource, of course there's no problem...

it would only be one if you lifted significant portions of their work and inserted them into your lessons... and, even there, as long as you didn't change them in any way, and provided proper attribution, it still shouldn't be any legal problem...

you can get more 'definitive' info at the us copyright office's website...

how do i know?... from decades of being a professional writer, having done much paralegal work, and due to being a writing mentor who keeps up on such things, to best inform my mentees...

this is as 'definitive' as you're gonna get here... for more 'officially' definitive, you'll have to consult a literary attorney...

love and hugs, maia