U.S. copyright law regarding distribution of answer keys

Latin Learning Latin
1

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here was familiar enough with U.S. copyright law to inform me on the following issue:

I have had the thought to post answer keys to M&F’s “Latin: An Intensive Course” on the Internet as a progress through it. Is this a breach of copyright law?

One of my ideas was to create a website, most probably a wiki, where people could colaborate and comment on the possible answers to the exercises.

Regarding the issue, I’m pretty sure that translations of a work are covered under the original copyright. Does this use case some how exempt out of that? Does it fall under fair use?

Any insight into this issue is greatly appreciated,
Thanks!

Aaron

2

I don’t know the answer to your question, but I do know that textkit offers a “homemade” answer key for Wheelock’s:

http://www.textkit.com/learn/ID/162/author_id/76/

3

I’m not sure about the US, but I do know in Germany a kid was prosecuted for giving away the answer key to Ecce Romani (vel similis).

4

It dosn’t sound like you are breaking any law because you are making the answer key yourself. It would really only become an issue if you were trying to make money off of it.

P.S. Wheelock’s has an official answer key that is available online for free if you email the publisher.

5

I don’t know the answer to your question, but I certainly hope you can do this. I hope to work through M&F alone, later this year.

Seán