I have a rather large library of data sheets that I have collected over the decades. Would I be breaking some copyright rules if I were to post the library here on a thread? they would be zipped for convenience.

 

I can't imagine that any company would object to your posting their data sheets, since they want the data sheets to be as widely available as possible, and are usually readily available on their websites.

 

It would depend on the national copyright laws. In some countries (e.g the UK) copyright in a written/printed work is automatic, whereas in other countries I understand it has to be registered. It is likely that most datasheets are subject to copyright.
In principle you would need the copyright holder's permission, although it is unlikely to be refused, as Crutschow says.

 

I tend to agree with crutschow.

If you want to "do it the right way", you can do as many others have done - write asking for permission to use the datasheets.

 

It would depend on the national copyright laws. In some countries (e.g the UK) copyright in a written/printed work is automatic, whereas in other countries I understand it has to be registered. It is likely that most datasheets are subject to copyright.
In principle you would need the copyright holder's permission, although it is unlikely to be refused, as Crutschow says.

There is an exemption for "fair use". It is covered by section 29 of Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/part/I/chapter/III

 

In all the last from Microchip at least, the almost very last line read "All right reserved".

And surprise! they have an ISBN.

 

In the United States the act of creating a work of expression itself confers copyright. If it was written, drawn, composed or sung, it is covered by copyright ( in the U.S.).

After that the copyright holder can decide whether or not to utilize those rights to control the work.

 

There is an exemption for "fair use". It is covered by section 29 of Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Yes, for the UK. But it might take a court to decide what is 'fair use'. Reproducing extracts from a copyright work is usually regarded as fair use, but reproduction of the whole work may not be. Private educational use is generally also ok.

 

I would just post them. It is highly unlikely that any action would be taken against you, and if there was, it would be a letter telling you to remove it.

Bob

 

Could those files be put on a sticky instead of a regular thread?
Otherwise they might become difficult to find.

 

I would just post them. It is highly unlikely that any action would be taken against you, and if there was, it would be a letter telling you to remove it.

Agreed.

Yes, for the UK. But it might take a court to decide what is 'fair use'. Reproducing extracts from a copyright work is usually regarded as fair use, but reproduction of the whole work may not be. Private educational use is generally also ok.

They would also have to demonstrate "loss". If the datasheet were currently available for download on the company's website, there could be no loss. No loss, no damages.
Also, if I were to post a datasheet as a way of recommending a certain device, which you subsequently bought, there is gain, and no loss.
It's a different matter if the datasheet were provided under a non-disclosure agreement - in that case it would be breach of contract.

 

I think it comes down to this. Even though they are technical documents, in another sense they are advertising. Published so people will buy their product. As such, any dissemination is a good thing. If a competitor were to copy their data sheet in at put their product on the top then copyright becomes an issue.

That is my take on it and I am stuck with it. Meanwhile:
Datasheet Archive

Please post any off topic comments in this thread, i will delete or move any off topic comments in the datasheet archive

 

Perhaps it would be more efficient to post link to the mfg source, unless we are talking about obsolete and archived devices.

 

@Wolframore
Many of my components are 20 years old. Anything based on the web can disappear without notice. I feel that This site is more stable than most. Posting my library as I have is my way of contributing. There is no easy way to do it from what I am seeing. That is the best I can come up with. if AAC were to disappear tomorrow I would be creating my own electronics website. Before I glommed on to AAC I ran a bulletin board for almost a decade. It was named The Mars Den.