Ask HN: What is the license of GitHub's blog and The README project?

[linkdd]

I don't see a license on their articles, which makes me think they are simply copyrighted.

If so, is it legal to translate an article (and link to the original article) on another website?

[jamespwilliams]

Translations are derivative works (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_work, https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf) and in most countries the copyright holder of the original work must give permission for derivative works to be distributed publicly

[supermatt]

Pretty sure that given the copilot situation (and LLMs in general I guess), microsofts stance on all things copyrighted is "if its publicly accessible then it is fair game to use, provided you claim it as original work and absolutely do not give credit to the source". Just roll a dice a few times when copying it, or something. /s

[HatchedLake721]

Legal? Probably not. Would GitHub care? No. Would GitHub be happy their content is being translated and pointed back to the source? Yes.

[taubek]

On the bottom of the page it says "© 2023 GitHub, Inc.". I don't see anything else.

[concordDance]

The actually relevant question is whether you'll be sued. And if it's a good translation, you plainly state that its a translation of the blog article and link to it the answer is obviously not.

[Hamuko]

I doubt you'd be sued at all, even if GitHub/Microsoft really didn't want you doing it. More likely they'd just send a cease and desist or a DMCA takedown request first. Path of least resistance.

[asperous]

Why not ask Github?

[labster]

Anyone offering free legal advice on HN today?

[speedgoose]

We share advices on many fields all the time. Legal advices are no exception.

Especially when it's this simple, "water is wet", "prefer postgresql over mongodb", "no you can't legally copy content without being authorised by the authors, even if translated".

[smartblondeva]

Hi there - I oversee The ReadME Project at GitHub. Our stories are copyrighted, but we are open to syndication/translation if the story is clearly credited with a link that drives readers to the original source.

[linkdd]

Thank you. I ended up contacting the author who gave me permission quite quickly :)