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The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

openculture.com

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Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#32

I went to college in Trinity and the Book of Kells is housed in the old library. Once you've finished seeing the book, you head upstairs through the Long Room, and that place is just special (they used it as the hall of the jedi) As a student there you could visit for free. I used to just go up and hang in the library for 10 mins or so a few times a year. Loved it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Trinity_C…

I once had a class in a room just off the old library. I had to go into the Long Room and step over a rope at the end. Very cool.

Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#33
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the og scan of book of kells was done by a Swiss publisher in the early 90s. since you can't copyright a scan, and the book itself is in public domain, anyone can then take the scans (if they can get hands on the high dpi originals or whatever, or do a high dpi scan of the reproduction) and publish them as whatever they want. "the complete encyclopedia of human knowledge (only $99.99 if you call now)" "the illuminate…

> you can't copyright a scan Why not? It's derivative but it's still work.

Presumably, because it isn’t transformative enough to constitute a derivative work. Otherwise, making a copy of free works would allow one to put those works back under copyright.

Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#34

The book of Kells is gorgeous and well worth a visit. If you are in Dublin and enjoy this sort of thing, _please_ also take the very short walk over to the Chester Beatty Library ( https://chesterbeatty.ie/ ) as well. It's free and has an absolutely fantastic collection of ancient and sacred manuscripts. I was lucky enough to live across the street from it for several years and it remains one of my favourite museums…

The Chester Beatty Library has a much larger collection than is shown at any one time. Many sacred texts, but also much else, including some printed news-sheets from the French Revolution. And a lot of Chinese and Japanese stuff, including some gorgeous jade snuffboxes.

Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#35
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the og scan of book of kells was done by a Swiss publisher in the early 90s. since you can't copyright a scan, and the book itself is in public domain, anyone can then take the scans (if they can get hands on the high dpi originals or whatever, or do a high dpi scan of the reproduction) and publish them as whatever they want. "the complete encyclopedia of human knowledge (only $99.99 if you call now)" "the illuminate…

> you can't copyright a scan Why not? It's derivative but it's still work.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgeman_Art_Library_v._Cor....

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Reuse_of_PD-Art...

Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#36
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the og scan of book of kells was done by a Swiss publisher in the early 90s. since you can't copyright a scan, and the book itself is in public domain, anyone can then take the scans (if they can get hands on the high dpi originals or whatever, or do a high dpi scan of the reproduction) and publish them as whatever they want. "the complete encyclopedia of human knowledge (only $99.99 if you call now)" "the illuminate…

> you can't copyright a scan Why not? It's derivative but it's still work.

it's a statement of fact, so we can just leave it at that. but the explanation as I understand it and I'm not a lawyer, is that scan or a facsimile is a mechanism of reproduction, and the act of reproduction doesn't give you copyright. work, derivative work, original work, demonstration of originality have all precise definitions, but in laymen terms which is also my understanding, your derivative work has to be creative and original in its own right to have a copyright.

Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#38
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the og scan of book of kells was done by a Swiss publisher in the early 90s. since you can't copyright a scan, and the book itself is in public domain, anyone can then take the scans (if they can get hands on the high dpi originals or whatever, or do a high dpi scan of the reproduction) and publish them as whatever they want. "the complete encyclopedia of human knowledge (only $99.99 if you call now)" "the illuminate…

> you can't copyright a scan Why not? It's derivative but it's still work.

"Work" as such is not protectable; it lacks the creative element that e.g. a translation of a book into another language exhibits.

Re: The Book of Kells, now digitized and available online

#39
post #6

The animated film 'The Secret of Kells' is great and well worth a watch. Far more accessible/relatable to modern audiences than this historical Bible that was dug up in a field in Kells. I'm glad it got a mention but the other guy is right -- the link should have been to the digitized book.

Agreed. Really unique and beautifully done.
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