Example: Nostradamus Prophecies translated from french to english--are they copyrighted to whoever translated them, if the person published the translation in a copyrighted work? I assume that the interpretation of the prophecy and other details would be what is under copyright. At the same time, I would guess that a translation of something in the public domain would not belong to any specific person. Anything that contradicts this? Any help is appreciated.

All Answers To Questions

The Copyright Act provides that copyright continues to subsist in any original work of authorship that is fixed in a medium of expression. The only way someone can translate a set of works is by procuring the permission of the copyright holder. There is much debate about whether various types of translations are subject to copyright law when prominent in the public domain. in 1976 UNESCO recommended that member states ensure through legislative action that translators be given copyright protection because of the importance of translations in culture and development, including translations of scientific and technical literature. It defined translations broadly, whether the initial work or the translation is intended to be published. The U.S. government does not follow this recommendation. When a translator is working from epic poems, plays or other works that are considered original and in the public domain, their translation may be eligible for copyright. There are specific criteria which translation work must meet to be eligible for copyright by a translator. new law as a result of distribution across the Internet continues to evolve. For profit, scholarly or academic considerations also come into play, with for profit endeavors being subjected to much more scrutiny. Go to any of the available free legal websites out there and search for the Copyright Act for more specific circumstances.