Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New York

Re: Licence and Copyright - Dictionary

The process involves 2 steps.

First, you'll need to get permission (so-called license) from the owner of the original dictionary to have the right to modify their dictionary. That may involve a license fee from the owner, so it all depends on the economic potential of your website.

Second, assuming that the owner does grant you the right to modify their dictionary, the "modified" version that you created, assuming that it's original enough, may be entitled to copyright protection. However, to make sure that the "modified" version belongs to you, not the owner, to be on the safe side, need to specify such in your licensing contract with the owner. Hope this helps.

Re: Licence and Copyright - Dictionary

If you use their dictionary to make your own product, you still need to pay them for that use and negotiate the terms with them. If you don't need their dictionary, then avoid using it.

Re: Licence and Copyright - Dictionary

There is no "right" to have your own license, or certain number of modifications that somehow makes the database yours.

The license you obtain from the owners of the dictionary will be in the form of a contract. If you need special features in that contract, it would be worth your while to have an attorney review the document (or negotiate the deal) to make sure you get what you need.