Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York

Q: can i sell a Book which i own the copyright with inside a link to a free downloadable bonus ebook CC-BY-NC-SA?

the Book i sell has a qrcode link to the ebook. the bonus content is advertized.

the bonus ebook is made by me, using other CC-BY-NC-SA contents.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Including a free downloadable bonus ebook in your sold book can be tricky due to licensing restrictions. Since the bonus ebook is under the CC-BY-NC-SA license, the non-commercial (NC) aspect means it shouldn’t be distributed as part of a commercial transaction. Linking the bonus to a purchase might be seen as using it for commercial purposes, which could violate the license terms.

Additionally, when you use other CC-BY-NC-SA content to create your bonus ebook, you must ensure that all original creators are properly attributed and that any derivative works also share the same license. This means you can’t impose further restrictions beyond what the license allows. Make sure that the way you distribute the bonus ebook aligns with these requirements to respect the original creators’ rights.

To stay compliant, consider offering the bonus ebook separately from the purchase or ensuring that its distribution remains strictly non-commercial. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the CC-BY-NC-SA license while still providing added value to your readers. It’s always a good idea to review the specific license terms or consult with a legal expert to ensure you’re following all necessary guidelines.

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