: Translation as the starting point of a new work of fiction In the past, there has been famous cases of translations becoming works on their own. Many dramatic plots were copied from country

Vote Up Vote Down

You need to have express permission from the author before you can translate a book into another language or adapt it into another format -- otherwise, you're liable for copyright infringement.

Works that are in the public domain are exempt from this. The rules how a work passes into the public domain vary, but generally it's 70 years after the author's death. So Shakespeare and Jane Austen are fair game -- you can do whatever you want with Romeo or Juliet and re-create Pride and Prejudice with zombies, if you must.

Generic plot elements and ideas are not covered by copyright, but the distinction is not always clear. When in doubt, consult with an intellectual property attorney.

Another exemption is parody: You can write about Gary Rotter's adventures at Hogfarts School of Magic if your intent is to poke fun at the original work, but the requirements are quite narrow, and there is no guarantee you won't be sued. Claiming that a derivative work is a parody is a defense against a claim of infringement, not an absolute right, and proving it in court will likely be an expensive undertaking.

(0)