In summary, I like typing up notes for the various mathematics and computer science courses I take at my undergraduate school. Often its just notes from the textbook, lecture slides, or things the professor said or wrote

One of the reasons I do this is because I'd like to share them with other people about the internets. However, I am concerned as to the legality of it, if there is any

So, I am thinking, because its just common knowledge (and that is all it is), I wouldn't have to cite the textbook or professor and so on when I upload it? Or, would I? If I did, do I have to get the professor's concent? The textbook author's concent? Or, is it just like, cite to give validity to your notes, or not, if you don't feel like it? Or, am I just overthinking this? .

Again, the situation is I typed my own notes off of lecture slides/notes and textbook material, and I'd like to put it on the internet. Anything I must do in regard to the material I got my information from?


Thanks!

Textbook material: if taken verbatim (or possibly even if very close to it), would likely fall under Fair Use concept...that is, if you're not quoting huge tracts from it, probably fine. Otherwise, better give reference to source material at the least.

Lecture slides & notes from professors - again, really depends on what you're doing/how much you're doing. A few quotes? No problem. Duplicating their tables, typing out whole lectures from audio tape or whatever ... I'd ask them. Chances are they won't mind at all, but it's polite to ask.

Disclaimer: I'm not a copyright lawyer.

I'm pretty certain it's the reverse. If you copy a textbook verbatim you've committed copyright infringement. However, putting a concept in your own words is perfectly fine (application of your own knowledge).

For lectures, anything taken from one needs to be cited and permission obtained. If, say, a professor made a really neat anology, you would need to properly cite and get permission for it. Like the above, though, if you learned something from a lecture and were to apply that knowledge to create your own explanation, that's something that is entirely yours and you can post freely.

Whatever you do, don't take anything from a textbook and post it online because they textbook publishers will hunt you down and sue you for thousands of dollars for even the smallest infractions. What you're doing, while you may see it as educating others, isn't covered by academia, so a simple citation may not be enough.

In summary: only use your own explanations created from the application of knowledge you've obtained from books or lectures. Never copy word-for-word without explicit permission.

Yes, technically, but it depends a little on how much and what use. I doubt very much that quoting a short paragraph from a text or novel etc. is going to get anyone up in arms lawsuit wise. That'd be, imo, like trying to sue every person on the 'net for sharing a still they've grabbed from a movie DVD. Altho, citing your source material is always advisable in any case, of course.

From what I've read, Textbook publishers are as ruthless as the RIAA and gladly bring claims against people over simple paragraphs from the book.

That said, if you've really learned a concept, it's not that hard to put it in your own words, so I don't see why you wouldn't do this.Then list the textbook as a further reading source at the end of the article.

First, if it's "common knowledge" then you knew about it before you read the textbook, took the class, etc., yes? Otherwise, it clearly isn't common knowledge if you learned it in class or from a book, which implies that it likely isn't considered fair use.

I'm not sure what your purpose is in posting the information (e.g., is it a blog? discussion forums?), but it shouldn't be too hard or take up too much space to cite your sources. In fact, it may help you make your case or look more legitimate, since most people are a bit suspect on the internet. Just my 2 cents.

Alright... Makes sense

Okay, I think that suffices. Good thing I only plan to put things into my own words! Well, other than the limits of mathematical definitions and that...

Should I cite my sources in a bibliography, anyway?

Thanks for the detailed response!

Well, I mean common knowledge as in math, sciences... Knowledge that is old and common to society... The Earth is round; theorems of calculus. Not some new theory that someone is working on, etc.

My purpose is just to provide information in a different way that's hopefully helpful for people trying to learn something

Theorems of calculus are not common knowledge.

If you understand the topic well enough to provide the information in a different way, simply write that out and cite the source. Direction quotations are generally a bad idea anyway. And as DEFRON noted, the textbook publishers will come after you if you quote a significant portion of their material.

Oh... It was just, in secondary school, teachers were like, "Common knowledges, that's cool," but I guess I misunderstood.

And, okay! Makes sense!

Thanks!