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I got in contact with OED, and they said essentially:

##No.

We can't use their definitions.

Sorry guys. I didn't mention stack exchange or ELU, so we won't suddenly be getting a letter of complaint (I pretended it was wiki answers).

Their fair usage policy states that you can take individual definitions and quotes as long as it isn't a regular thing, and is not on-line. Occasional usage by newspapers etc. is fine, but not for the type of Q&A that we have here. It is fine to link to the OED, but not quote it at all.

There is an option that SE could buy certain rights, but that is likely to be extortionate (I didn't enquire about actual costs).

It may be sensible (again, I'm also not a lawyer) to use one without this copyright - maybe thefreedictionary.com. I am currently getting in contact with Collins English Dictionary, to find out about their restrictions.

I have contacted Collins with the following email:

I am interested in what the copyright is on the Online Collins Dictionary, and whether I am aloud to do the following:

1. Quote it on a blog
2. Link to it on a blog
3. Quote it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
4. Link to it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
5. Quote it on a site whereby all the content is:

"licensed to [name removed for confidentiality] under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license."

i.e. anyone can then reuse it as long as it is kept in that licence.

6. Link to it on that site.

The reason for all of this is for helping others with the English Language. Any information posted on the above site is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike meaning that

The Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike licence allows re-distribution of licensed work on the conditions that the creator is appropriately credited and that nay derivative work is made available under the "same, similar or a compatible licence"

Can I do any of the above?

End of Email.

Reply from collins:

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your email.

We are happy to grant permission for you to use excerpts from the Online Collins Dictionary as outlined below. For the purpose of clarity, this use does not permit derogatory use or allow for alteration of our content. Where possible, please link back to and credit the Online Collins Dictionary.

Given the nature of your use we are happy to waive any copyright fees.

All the best,

Rachel

Do not use this answer as an example of what we can and can't do. We are allowed to quote the OED - they are wrong.

I got in contact with OED, and they said essentially:

##No.

We can't use their definitions.

Sorry guys. I didn't mention stack exchange or ELU, so we won't suddenly be getting a letter of complaint (I pretended it was wiki answers).

Their fair usage policy states that you can take individual definitions and quotes as long as it isn't a regular thing, and is not on-line. Occasional usage by newspapers etc. is fine, but not for the type of Q&A that we have here. It is fine to link to the OED, but not quote it at all.

There is an option that SE could buy certain rights, but that is likely to be extortionate (I didn't enquire about actual costs).

It may be sensible (again, I'm also not a lawyer) to use one without this copyright - maybe thefreedictionary.com. I am currently getting in contact with Collins English Dictionary, to find out about their restrictions.

I have contacted Collins with the following email:

I am interested in what the copyright is on the Online Collins Dictionary, and whether I am aloud to do the following:

1. Quote it on a blog
2. Link to it on a blog
3. Quote it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
4. Link to it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
5. Quote it on a site whereby all the content is:

"licensed to [name removed for confidentiality] under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license."

i.e. anyone can then reuse it as long as it is kept in that licence.

6. Link to it on that site.

The reason for all of this is for helping others with the English Language. Any information posted on the above site is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike meaning that

The Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike licence allows re-distribution of licensed work on the conditions that the creator is appropriately credited and that nay derivative work is made available under the "same, similar or a compatible licence"

Can I do any of the above?

End of Email.

Reply from collins:

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your email.

We are happy to grant permission for you to use excerpts from the Online Collins Dictionary as outlined below. For the purpose of clarity, this use does not permit derogatory use or allow for alteration of our content. Where possible, please link back to and credit the Online Collins Dictionary.

Given the nature of your use we are happy to waive any copyright fees.

All the best,

Rachel

So I got in contact with OED, and this was the answer:

##No.

Sorry guys. I didn't mention stack exchange or ELU, so we won't suddenly be getting a letter of complaint (I pretended it was wiki answers).

Their fair usage policy states that you can take individual definitions and quotes as long as it isn't a regular thing, and is not on-line. Occasional usage by newspapers etc. is fine, but not for the type of Q&A that we have here. It is fine to link to the OED, but not quote it at all.

There is an option that SE could buy certain rights, but that is likely to be extortionate (I didn't enquire about actual costs).

It may be sensible (again, I'm also not a lawyer) to use one without this copyright - maybe thefreedictionary.com. I am currently getting in contact with Collins English Dictionary, to find out about their restrictions.

I have contacted Collins with the following email:

I am interested in what the copyright is on the Online Collins Dictionary, and weather I am aloud to do the following:

1. Quote it on a blog
2. Link to it on a blog
3. Quote it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
4. Link to it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
5. Quote it on a site whereby all the content is:

"licensed to [name removed for confidentiality] under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license."

i.e. anyone can then reuse it as long as it is kept in that licence.

6. Link to it on that site.

The reason for all of this is for helping others with the English Language. Any information posted on the above site is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike meaning that

The Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike licence allows re-distribution of licensed work on the conditions that the creator is appropriately credited and that nay derivative work is made available under the "same, similar or a compatible licence"

Can I do any of the above?

End of Email.

I got in contact with OED, and they said essentially:

##No.

We can't use their definitions.

Sorry guys. I didn't mention stack exchange or ELU, so we won't suddenly be getting a letter of complaint (I pretended it was wiki answers).

Their fair usage policy states that you can take individual definitions and quotes as long as it isn't a regular thing, and is not on-line. Occasional usage by newspapers etc. is fine, but not for the type of Q&A that we have here. It is fine to link to the OED, but not quote it at all.

There is an option that SE could buy certain rights, but that is likely to be extortionate (I didn't enquire about actual costs).

It may be sensible (again, I'm also not a lawyer) to use one without this copyright - maybe thefreedictionary.com. I am currently getting in contact with Collins English Dictionary, to find out about their restrictions.

I have contacted Collins with the following email:

I am interested in what the copyright is on the Online Collins Dictionary, and whether I am aloud to do the following:

1. Quote it on a blog
2. Link to it on a blog
3. Quote it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
4. Link to it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
5. Quote it on a site whereby all the content is:

"licensed to [name removed for confidentiality] under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license."

i.e. anyone can then reuse it as long as it is kept in that licence.

6. Link to it on that site.

The reason for all of this is for helping others with the English Language. Any information posted on the above site is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike meaning that

The Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike licence allows re-distribution of licensed work on the conditions that the creator is appropriately credited and that nay derivative work is made available under the "same, similar or a compatible licence"

Can I do any of the above?

End of Email.

Reply from collins:

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your email.

We are happy to grant permission for you to use excerpts from the Online Collins Dictionary as outlined below. For the purpose of clarity, this use does not permit derogatory use or allow for alteration of our content. Where possible, please link back to and credit the Online Collins Dictionary.

Given the nature of your use we are happy to waive any copyright fees.

All the best,

Rachel

So I got in contact with OED, and this was the answer:

##No.

Sorry guys. I didn't mention stack exchange or ELU, so we won't suddenly be getting a letter of complaint (I pretended it was wiki answers).

Their fair usage policy states that you can take individual definitions and quotes as long as it isn't a regular thing, and is not on-line. Occasional usage by newspapers etc. is fine, but not for the type of Q&A that we have here. It is fine to link to the OED, but not quote it at all.

There is an option that SE could buy certain rights, but that is likely to be extortionate (I didn't enquire about actual costs).

It may be sensible (again, I'm also not a lawyer) to use one without this copyright - maybe thefreedictionary.com. I am currently getting in contact with Collins English Dictionary, to find out about their restrictions.

So I got in contact with OED, and this was the answer:

##No.

Sorry guys. I didn't mention stack exchange or ELU, so we won't suddenly be getting a letter of complaint (I pretended it was wiki answers).

Their fair usage policy states that you can take individual definitions and quotes as long as it isn't a regular thing, and is not on-line. Occasional usage by newspapers etc. is fine, but not for the type of Q&A that we have here. It is fine to link to the OED, but not quote it at all.

There is an option that SE could buy certain rights, but that is likely to be extortionate (I didn't enquire about actual costs).

It may be sensible (again, I'm also not a lawyer) to use one without this copyright - maybe thefreedictionary.com. I am currently getting in contact with Collins English Dictionary, to find out about their restrictions.

I have contacted Collins with the following email:

I am interested in what the copyright is on the Online Collins Dictionary, and weather I am aloud to do the following:

1. Quote it on a blog
2. Link to it on a blog
3. Quote it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
4. Link to it on a Q&A site (for example http://wikianswers.com)
5. Quote it on a site whereby all the content is:

"licensed to [name removed for confidentiality] under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license."

i.e. anyone can then reuse it as long as it is kept in that licence.

6. Link to it on that site.

The reason for all of this is for helping others with the English Language. Any information posted on the above site is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike meaning that

The Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike licence allows re-distribution of licensed work on the conditions that the creator is appropriately credited and that nay derivative work is made available under the "same, similar or a compatible licence"

Can I do any of the above?

End of Email.