legal question about using the GPL-ed wiktionary as database

[Istvan Soos-2]

Hi,

I would like to ask legal advice and some parts of the GPL is not clear for me.

Let's suppose I'd like to create an Internet-facing dictionary
application (yes, a yet another one). I'd like to import the initial
data from a few sources, and convert it to my internal data structure.
Some of them are public domain, so nothing interesting there, but e.g.
Wiktionary is GPL-ed, which does impose a few questions for me. By the
way: my internal data structure won't be wikitext.
I'd like to enable my users to edit the content of my dictionary, I'd
like to reuse that content as I see fit (including commercial services
if I am ready to implement anything).

In this case, am I allowed to import Wiktionary as a data source? If
yes, what other constraints do I have (e.g. on editing, publishing,
using as part of the commercial service)? I have a few options here:

1. Importing and merging with the other sources.

2. Importing, not merging, but separately branching with the other
sources, treating the services and the user interface slightly
differently for the different databases (e.g. stating where it is GPL
and where it is our internal data with different use conditions).

3. Importing, not merging, not modifying. Using Wiktionary as a
read-only database, e.g. when the user searches my dictionary I can
provide results from my database and on the same page at the bottom
from the Wiktionary.

In what scenario do I need to re-publish my internal data structures
(either in wikitext or anything else)? I suppose #3 is a safe option
for me, but what other considerations do I have?

Thank you for the help! Best regards,
   Istvan

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[Brion Vibber-3]

On 8/5/09 11:23 AM, Istvan Soos wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I would like to ask legal advice and some parts of the GPL is not clear for me.

The GPL does not apply to any content on Wiktionary.

GPL (GNU General Public License) is a software license; the MediaWiki
software which the Wiktionary web site runs on is published under the
GPL license.

Wiktionary's content has its own licensing.

You should probably start with:

http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Terms_of_Use
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

-- brion

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[Istvan Soos-2]

On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 9:04 PM, Brion Vibber<brion@...> wrote:

> On 8/5/09 11:23 AM, Istvan Soos wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I would like to ask legal advice and some parts of the GPL is not clear for me.
>
> The GPL does not apply to any content on Wiktionary.
>
> GPL (GNU General Public License) is a software license; the MediaWiki
> software which the Wiktionary web site runs on is published under the
> GPL license.
>
> Wiktionary's content has its own licensing.
>
> You should probably start with:
>
> http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Terms_of_Use
> http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Thanks for the clarification!

I've referred to GPL because the dictionaries in question are mostly
GPL, and GFDL has essentially the same philosophy, hasn't it? Anyway,
this new CC license seems to be more re-use friendly for me, at least
the linked page gives a very clear idea how it should be treated.

Thanks,
   Istvan

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