Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New York

website using wiktionary

I would like to create a website that uses audio files and definitions from wiktionary. According to wiktionary, ''This information is being given to you gratuitously and there is no agreement or understanding between you and Wiktionary regarding your use or modification of this information beyond the GNU Free Documentation License''

My questions:

1) could I be sued for creating such a website?

2) would it be possible for me to copyright or otherwise protect original content (not from wiktionary) on my website?

Thanks very much!!


Asked on 8/10/08, 11:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nancy Delain Delain Law Office, PLLC

Re: website using wiktionary

1. Yes, but not likely.

2. Yes, absolutely you may register copyright in any country touched by the website (which, of course, means worldwide). However, that's a bit extreme. You should definitely register the site in the country of origin (the US). As to whether you should register in other countries, that involves some questions that you need to answer, which puts that beyond the scope of this board.

Contact my office for a free, no-obligation half-hour appointment to set up a copyright registration program.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED, AS LEGAL ADVICE. THIS POSTING DOES NOT CREATE ANY ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US. FOR SPECIFIC ADVICE ABOUT YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY.

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Answered on 8/11/08, 12:25 am


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