Creating a newsletter using thrid party sources and quoting them too :)
We are in the process of creating a newsletter for commercial purpose which essentially is an aggregation of information from multiple third party sources. Some of these sources (70%) are free whereas the rest (30%) have a subscription fee. We will be sourcing the data and are also quoting the source of the data used. Since, we would like to distribute this newsletter for commercial purpose, we would like advice on how to go about this given that the information sources have the following legal disclaimers:
Attorney answers (1)Reputation Level 18
Answered over 3 years ago.
Intellectual Property Law Attorney in Sacramento, CA.
The short answer is that you cannot reproduce or distribute anyone else's written material without first receiving permission to do so -- unless the written material is in the public domain. A newsletter that aggregates others' material is granted no exception to that rule.
Copyright attaches to essentially ALL written material as soon as it is complete and it lasts, for the most part, for 70 years. It is irrelevant for purposes of copyright law whether access to the material is free or via subscription. Without passing on the particular rights provisions that you quote, the material that you are seeking to aggregate appears clearly protected under copyright law. It is very unwise to begin a commercial endeavor premised on reproducing others' work without first clearing the rights to the others' material. Your business model is to exploit the labor of others. I strongly suggest that you either change your business model or purchase via a license the rights to re-publish the works of others (assuming they are willing to sell you that permission). A competent business attorney with intellectual property experience can assist you. 1 person marked this answer as good
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