Translating a copyrighted article

And posting it at another site. Good idea?

[shallow]

I have an article with illustrations at my site that I paid for (a work for hire). Someone asked to translate it into Chinese and post the article in its entirety at their own site.

I can let them but I don't know if there are any drawbacks. Are there? If not, are there any things I should require other than my site be listed as the source, with a link back to the article at my site?

As an aside, the article has been up less than a week.

Suggestions please.

[Quadrille]

There's no SEO drawbacks; in SE terms, it's a different article.

If you own the copyright, it's up to you; if they provide a link back to the source (which you can check), then you may get something out of it.

If you paid for the work, then 'giving it away' may hurt a little. But if you refuse, and they do it anyway, without a link - would you ever know?

[shallow]

Good points.

Sorry, this is new to me so apologies in advance if the answer to this question is obviuos. Do I request they put a copyright notice along with the reference and link back to my site?

[Quadrille]

Yes; it's a reasonable request, and they should have no problem doing it. Specify that it should *not* be nofollow.

Don't forget to ask for the URL of the finished article, so you can see for yourself!

Keep an eye on your site statistics; articles rarely produce much in the way of visitors (let alone visitors who spend!), but there are exceptions; if it does good work, you might consider offering them more. Small chance, but not to be dismissed.

[zozzen]

I think you better discuss the terms of use with the translation too. The translation material are owned by them, and you don't know how they will use them. Let say, you can ask them to have your authorization when they want to distribute them in any other sites or forms.

[BigDave]

The translation material are owned by them,

Not exactly true. They have a copyright on the translation, but the original copyright is still controlling. Neither party can distribute the translation or give anyone else permission to without permission from the other party.

[Rankerz]

I think nothing to worry about SEO, It will not count as duplicate content on their site and you will also not get penalized for that.

[edited by: encyclo at 3:24 am (utc) on Nov. 15, 2007]
[edit reason] no signatures please [/edit]

[shallow]

Thank you everyone for the helpful input.

[AussieWebmaster]

If you are going to use someone else's material I would change it slightly - use your own words for the translation.