Q&A: Copying Purim Ideas from Some Website
Copying Purim Ideas from Some Website
Question
A famous rabbi, on his website, allows the public to ask questions.
And as expected, sometimes there are responsa that are nonsense.
Naturally, that makes some people happy.
Is it permitted to collect amusing Torah insights from the site, put them into a book, and sell it for money?
Or do I need the permission of the owner of the responsa?
Answer
There is copyright on things like that, especially if they are not words of Torah but mockery. (Regarding words of Torah, some say there is no copyright, although in the legal world there is what is called “moral rights” — meaning that the creator’s name should be mentioned with his creation: to quote things in the name of the one who said them.)
If you mean my own writings, permission is granted to use all the materials freely, and there is also no obligation to mention my name. This is despite the verse: “In every place where I cause My name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you.” And may it be God’s will that blessing rest upon your money, and that it multiply like the sand on the seashore.
Discussion on Answer
And it further requires analysis whether it is permitted to copy the text of the permission itself.
True, permission has now been granted to you to use it, but by this very act I have prevented you from taking advantage of my permission to use my materials without permission. And this requires further analysis.