State: NC (but believe it could be any state, since government issue?)
Country: USA
I would like to know if I can use government released documents, organize them in a meaningful way, use Google apps/technology (e.g. Google Web Engine / Google Documents List Data API) to present them, and then charge access to the site/use of the application.
More specifically:
The State government has released a "package" of documents (say between 500 and 1000) in the form of an ISO file. The file is can be downloaded by anyone.
Many of the documents (PDF) were created by individuals and organizations - not by the State. Some are actual published articles; others are PowerPoint presentations that clearly show author/organization. There are many graphics, images, and photos, even cartoons with author attributes.
My (limited) understanding is that government released documents are in the public domain and the government cannot copyright works.
I don't want to infringe on anyone's copyright. I just want to make the documents more accessible, ordered and more easily navigated. Currently, I think some of the Google technologies could be leveraged toward my goal. That takes time and a fair amount of expertise.
If I do take the documents, organize them, make them easier to navigate and make them more accessible, then I would like to be able to charge a fee for the value-added service I am performing. Can I do this? Can I do this without getting "copyright infringement" attacked?
Country: USA
I would like to know if I can use government released documents, organize them in a meaningful way, use Google apps/technology (e.g. Google Web Engine / Google Documents List Data API) to present them, and then charge access to the site/use of the application.
More specifically:
The State government has released a "package" of documents (say between 500 and 1000) in the form of an ISO file. The file is can be downloaded by anyone.
Many of the documents (PDF) were created by individuals and organizations - not by the State. Some are actual published articles; others are PowerPoint presentations that clearly show author/organization. There are many graphics, images, and photos, even cartoons with author attributes.
My (limited) understanding is that government released documents are in the public domain and the government cannot copyright works.
I don't want to infringe on anyone's copyright. I just want to make the documents more accessible, ordered and more easily navigated. Currently, I think some of the Google technologies could be leveraged toward my goal. That takes time and a fair amount of expertise.
If I do take the documents, organize them, make them easier to navigate and make them more accessible, then I would like to be able to charge a fee for the value-added service I am performing. Can I do this? Can I do this without getting "copyright infringement" attacked?
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