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Stiltzkin · 12-30-2007, 08:48 PM

I've created an online dictionary, but I don't know whether or not it is legal. So far it only has about 30 words from the 1st edition of the American Heritage Dictionary (published by Houghton Mifflin Company). All of the entires have been paraphrased, and my ultimate goal would be to turn the site into a revenue-generating site by placing small ads on it. Is there any way for me to make it legal? Do I have to contact Houghton Mifflin? What if I base each entry on alternating dictionaries? (I can get information from several dictionaries and even online sources so that the entire work is not solely derived from one copyrighted work).

My online dictionary is "different" from other online dictionaries because it allows you to search for words within definitions instead of just the actual word. Later it will have more capabilities (such as being able to filter results by adjectives only, or adjectives and adverbs, etc.), but I don't want to put too much work into it if it's illegal to begin with.

12-30-2007, 08:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stiltzkin Junkie	Online dictionary I've created an online dictionary, but I don't know whether or not it is legal. So far it only has about 30 words from the 1st edition of the American Heritage Dictionary (published by Houghton Mifflin Company). All of the entires have been paraphrased, and my ultimate goal would be to turn the site into a revenue-generating site by placing small ads on it. Is there any way for me to make it legal? Do I have to contact Houghton Mifflin? What if I base each entry on alternating dictionaries? (I can get information from several dictionaries and even online sources so that the entire work is not solely derived from one copyrighted work). My online dictionary is "different" from other online dictionaries because it allows you to search for words within definitions instead of just the actual word. Later it will have more capabilities (such as being able to filter results by adjectives only, or adjectives and adverbs, etc.), but I don't want to put too much work into it if it's illegal to begin with. __________________ The most important thing in this world is love.