Translate copyrighted book from Swedish to English but pay for Swedish version

[FaceInTheCrowd]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I want to treat patients in the U.S. with a self-help therapy book that is available only as a copyrighted Swedish book. I am willing to translate the book into English. I've asked for permission to do this from the Swedish publisher but it won't reply. Can I pay the publisher for the Swedish book and give my patients the Swedish book along with an English translation?

 

[FlyingRon]

No. You can not do that. The derivative work is a copy even when you also give the a legitimate copy of the untranslated work with it. Swedish copyrights are enforceable in the US under a number of treaties (include the Berne convention).

 

[Zigner]

No. You can not do that. The derivative work is a copy even when you also give the a legitimate copy of the untranslated work with it. Swedish copyrights are enforceable in the US under a number of treaties (include the Berne convention).

Hypothetically...

Couldn't a person hire a translator to translate a book in to their own language?

 

[quincy]

A person can hire a translator to READ the legally purchased book to the buyer, but the translator cannot make an English copy of the Swedish book for the buyer to read, without creating a derivative of the book and infringing on the copyright holder's rights.

FaceInTheCrowd will need permission from the copyright holder to do what he wants to do.

 

[Zigner]

A person can hire a translator to READ the legally purchased book to the buyer, but the translator cannot make an English copy of the Swedish book for the buyer to read, without creating a derivative of the book and infringing on the copyright holder's rights.

FaceInTheCrowd will need permission from the copyright holder to do what he wants to do.

Thanks for the clarification

 

[quincy]

Thanks for the clarification

You're welcome.

 

[FaceInTheCrowd]

Thanks!

Thanks, Ron. Quite helpful.