[License-discuss] Beginner question on CCSA and derivative work

[David Woolley]

On 18/11/13 14:24, Nick Yeates wrote:
> I am unsure if this forum is the correct place for this question, so let
> me know if I need to ask elsewhere…
>
> I am considering using a Work, on the public web, that is clearly
> licensed under the CCSA: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
> England & Wales license
> <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/uk/>. The work also
> states this: "this page is © 2007-2013 University of Oxford."
>
> I am considering using a piece of this work, in a commercial document.
> It is not likely that the commercial work will be distributed to the public.
> So far, CCSA seems to be OK with this occurring.
>
> My question is, if I am incorporating it into a work that is
> considerable larger, do I need to license the entire piece of work as CCSA?
> The parts from U of Oxford will be, say, 3% of the complete content
> (derivative work???). Really, most of the content is new/mine.
> I don't want to have to make my entire work CCSA, because I am including
> a comparatively small chunk of work that is CCSA.
>

1) this sounds like it is not software, so not really on topic for this 
list.

2) the answer depends on whether or not it constitutes a derivative 
work, and that tends to be a very controversial area on this list (with 
several people using a more limited definition than many authors 
assume).  You probably need to consult a lawyer for an answer that you 
can rely on.  It will probably depend on whether your work is meaningful 
without the U of O document being included.

The safest thing to do is to clear it with the University.