[Mary Meriam]

I'm publishing a Headmistress Press book of translations of A French Poet (1877-1909). Do I have any copyright concerns? Thanks for any clues.

[Roger Slater]

The original is no longer under copyright, so you're good to go (assuming the translations don't infringe other translations that are under copyright).

And thanks to Google, I'm guessing the poet is Renée Vivien.

[Michael Juster]

I agree with Roger, except be careful if you're using facing French--someone may have copyrighted their version of conflicting manuscripts.

[Andrew Frisardi]

Looks like you have your answer already, but this thread from a few years back might be worth a scrolling: http://www.ablemuse.com/erato/showthread.php?t=18160.

[Mary Meriam]

Thanks, guys. If you have a chance, I have a couple more questions.

Roger - how would one translation infringe on another translation?

Mike - it took me a while to decipher your message. In other words, if our book has both French and English versions on facing pages, and some French poems had several versions, and a translator selected certain parts of different versions, and copyrighted it, then those French versions would require permision?

Andrew - how complicated can it get! Lots of helpful info there, especially that post from Janice with the links.

The poet is indeed Renée Vivien, and I'm very excited about this book. The translator stayed true to Vivien's formalism. Her translations are superb.

Do you prefer a book of translations that includes the poems in the original language?

[Andrew Frisardi]

Originally Posted by Mary Meriam

Andrew - how complicated can it get!

Very complicated!

Do you prefer a book of translations that includes the poems in the original language?

Yes, a lot.

[Roger Slater]

Originally Posted by Mary Meriam

Roger - how would one translation infringe on another translation?

Let's say you took someone else's translation and copied it word for word, for example. That would be an infringement of the copyright on the translation even if the original poem is in the public domain. The original poem and the translation each have a separate copyright. So a single poem in French may have a dozen different translations, each with its own copyright.