{"id":9577,"date":"2023-09-25T08:44:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T08:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/artikel\/ownership-of-translation-memories\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T13:35:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:35:51","slug":"ownership-of-translation-memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/artikel\/ownership-of-translation-memories\/","title":{"rendered":"Ownership of translation memories: Clear copyright and usage rights in the translation process"},"content":{"rendered":"<style id=\"nectar-blocks-row-css\">.nectar-blocks-row.nectar-blocks-row__inner.nectar-blocks-row__wrapper{height:auto}.nectar-blocks-row.nectar-blocks-row__inner.nectar-blocks-row__wrapper:not(.alignfull){width:auto}.nectar-blocks-row.nectar-l1{align-items:stretch;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:nowrap;gap:var(--column-gap)}.nectar-blocks-row.nectar-l1:not(.alignfull){width:auto}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px)and 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path{opacity:0;stroke-dashoffset:1}}@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.nectar-blocks-text{transition:none}.nectar-blocks-text.pre-animated{opacity:1!important}}\n<\/style>\n<p id=\"block-RAE7UmYxWA\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">It would be difficult to be without translation memories in the modern translation process, but it would be easy to be without disputes over copyright and ownership of content and data. We explain the framework conditions and explain why we give our customers all of the opportunities, without putting legal obstacles in their way.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-NXSQK4tofp\" id=\"block-NXSQK4tofp\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-nRACYBBAS0\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-nRACYBBAS0 nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h2 id=\"block-aPaS8fNHSq\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">What is a translation memory?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-Z6iZn2HwUs\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">A translation memory (TM) is the digital memory in the translation process: a database in which all translations and the corresponding source texts are stored segment by segment. These sentence or segment pairs are called translation units. If previously translated sentences, paragraphs or text segments are repeated in other documents, the TM already has the translation ready, so identical content only has to be translated once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-eE9D1YI5JV\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">This approach simplifies the translators&apos; work and creates clear advantages for clients and those assigning jobs: the translation is available more quickly and also becomes considerably cheaper.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-qisymNxGOk\" id=\"block-qisymNxGOk\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-2Wt3HfBHME\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-2Wt3HfBHME nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h2 id=\"block-WySNJbM9Is\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">Who owns the translation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"block-u42gi3TAPP\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">Texts are protected by copyright, translations are too<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-2wTxSeS9R5\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">The right to use and utilise one&apos;s own texts is clearly regulated in the German Copyright Act (UrhG). In addition to musical works, films, architecture and other arts, this also protects linguistic works. It takes effect as soon as the &quot;threshold of originality&quot; is reached and the work has a &quot;perceptible design&quot; that is &quot;already substantiated so far beyond an idea that it can be perceived by human senses&quot;. If it is a &quot;personal intellectual creation&quot; according to this definition, the text is a linguistic work and thus protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"block-Dk2w0dTLdB\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">Translators are also authors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-I6GQvxnhoc\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Everything that is to be done with the linguistic work must be permitted by the author(s). This also applies to the explicit permission to translate. Once this has been done, the relevant translator also becomes the author and the translation is a separate, copyright-protected linguistic work. Section 3 of the Copyright Act states: &quot;Translations and other adaptations of a work which are the adapter&rsquo;s own intellectual creations are protected as independent works without prejudice to the copyright in the adapted work.&quot; Translators can therefore insist on their name being mentioned and decide on the utilisation of the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"block-Q1tjg9IHNh\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">The exception proves the rule (as always)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-NZcm3Rr3jY\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Scientific or technical texts are an exception. Scientific teachings are not fundamentally protected by copyright, only the way in which the text is presented, for example the arrangement and design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-aqYnSCg2RM\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">A further exception is translations that do not meet the required level of originality, so that copyright does not apply. This also includes machine-generated translations, because under the current legal understanding a machine cannot produce a personal creative achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-Gi1P9Muacm\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">By contrast, machine-pretranslated texts that are subsequently post-edited by humans \u2013 i.e. translations produced using the MTPE process \u2013 are \u201cpersonal intellectual creations of the editor\u201d and are therefore protected like independent works.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-4fKG5SpPCd\" id=\"block-4fKG5SpPCd\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-gDrbyXTzsC\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-gDrbyXTzsC nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h2 id=\"block-UTiI06uO6P\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">Who owns the translation memory?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-sn3hJyUCSG\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">The translation memory that is created during the translation work is like the translation itself: from a purely copyright point of view, commissioned translation services do not generally belong to the client. A translation service provider also does not have an automatic entitlement to the TM data. But&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"block-rbnqhg8Zew\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">Translation memory at oneword<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-x1L7f7LUUk\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">For translation memory applications at oneword, we make clear agreements and follow an equally clear policy on ownership rights, IT security, and data protection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-M72cdSeIU9\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Our clients&apos; translation data is always stored in an individual client database and only used for their specific orders. We guarantee you absolute confidentiality and protection when handling your documents and data. You will always have unrestricted ownership of the translated documents and translation memory databases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-wIqAp3uzMg\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">As soon as a translation, text correction, modification, or DTP service, has been supplied and paid for, all the associated usage and property rights for it are immediately transferred to the customer. Of course, this also means that our customers can request the TM data at any time and use it for internal purposes, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"block-SG8H8IS9Yt\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">The translation memory as a &quot;litmus test&quot; for choosing your translation service provider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-2V69uxPakR\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Some translation service providers retain ownership of TM files, binding their customers to them, as changing service provider would lead to the customer losing the previous TM data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-IaDXINt2jz\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">It is therefore generally advisable to settle the question of utilisation and usage rights before commissioning translation services, also to avoid misunderstandings and later disputes over ownership of the translation memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-QYnElsMuzO\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Make sure contractually that you have the sole right of use in terms of time, space and purpose to your translations and therefore also to the TM files. If necessary or if you would like, you can then have your current translation service provider hand them over to you at any time and retain your independence and security.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-nj4h7c4tMl\" id=\"block-nj4h7c4tMl\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-1xovvlzYbh\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-1xovvlzYbh nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<p id=\"block-68UTQSDvTm\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\"><strong>Would you like to make your translation processes simple, effective and result-oriented? Then talk to us. Our experts for CAT tools and translation memories will be happy to help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style id=\"nectar-blocks-button-css\">.wp-block{opacity:1}.nectar-blocks-button{display:flex;line-height:0;position:relative}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-component__icon{line-height:0}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-component__icon__img{height:1.2em;width:auto}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-component__icon.icon-source--lucide svg path{fill:none}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-component__icon svg{height:1.2em;width:auto}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-component__icon svg path{fill:currentcolor}.nectar-blocks-button__icon{line-height:0}.nectar-blocks-button__icon svg{height:1em;width:auto}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar__bg-layers{border-radius:0;pointer-events:none}.nectar-blocks-button .nectar__link{align-items:center;color:inherit;display:flex;gap:.5em;justify-content:center;line-height:1;position:relative;text-decoration:none;transition:all .25s ease}.nectar-blocks-button>div.nectar-blocks-button__inner{transition:all .25s ease}@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-blocks-button__text,.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-blocks-button__text__inner,.nectar-blocks-button .nectar-blocks-button__text__inner:after,.nectar-blocks-button .nectar__link,.nectar-blocks-button>div.nectar-blocks-button__inner{transition:none!important}.nectar-blocks-button .hover .nectar-blocks-button__icon svg>g path,.nectar-blocks-button .hover .nectar-blocks-button__icon svg>path,.nectar-blocks-button .hover svg{animation:none!important}.nectar-blocks-button .hover .char{animation:none!important;opacity:1!important;transform:none!important}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-button nectar-blocks-button nectar-gt-ASwi5Tf10p\" id=\"block-X2r7R4r2r6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"nectar__link nectar-blocks-button__inner\"><span class=\"nectar-blocks-button__text\">Get in touch with us now!<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9578,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_nectar_blocks_hide_post_title":false,"_nectar_blocks_transparent_header_effect":false,"_nectar_blocks_transparent_header_effect_color":"light","_nectar_blocks_header_animation":false,"_nectar_blocks_header_animation_delay":0,"_nectar_blocks_header_animation_effect":"fade","_nectar_blocks_page_css":"","_nectar_blocks_page_js":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9577"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13108,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9577\/revisions\/13108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}