Nonofficial Publications in JW Library App

[Nigel]

Is it within the terms of use for the JW Library App to use it to load nonofficial publications? For example, there are files available for circuit assembly notebooks that can be used within the JW Library App. Is there any issue with doing this? 

[gusdn1]

6 hours ago, Nigel said:

Is it within the terms of use for the JW Library App to use it to load nonofficial publications? For example, there are files available for circuit assembly notebooks that can be used within the JW Library App. Is there any issue with doing this? 

 

The JWPUB file format is close source and property of WTBTSNY. And the only way someone can make one is by asking permission to the branch in writing.

Read JW Library—Terms of Use par. 12

 

Unless someone found out a way to make one themselves without permission.

Edited August 9 by gusdn1

[carlos]

7 hours ago, gusdn1 said:

Unless someone found out a way to make one themselves without permission.

 

Yes, they did. There are some unofficial publications out there.

[Nigel]

On 8/9/2024 at 2:54 AM, carlos said:

There are some unofficial publications out there.

And they're on this forum. Do they violate the terms of use?

[gusdn1]

33 minutes ago, Nigel said:

And they're on this forum. Do they violate the terms of use?

 

Unofficial publications or materials not made by the organization aren't covered by the terms of use. However, the tools, software, or codes it uses to create is still covered by the terms of use.

 

It's like using Microsoft Office; you own the documents you create, but Microsoft still owns the software you used.

 

The only difference is that unlike MS Office, JWPUB format is not available for everyone to manipulate and create a new file or publication.

So, for those who made their own JWPUB file should have permission to do so from the branch; although we do not know for real if they did or not.

Edited August 12 by gusdn1

[1MKnight]

1 hour ago, gusdn1 said:

 

Unofficial publications or materials not made by the organization aren't covered by the terms of use. However, the tools, software, or codes it uses to create is still covered by the terms of use.

 

It's like using Microsoft Office; you own the documents you create, but Microsoft still owns the software you used.

 

The only difference is that unlike MS Office, JWPUB format is not available for everyone to manipulate and create a new file or publication.

So, for those who made their own JWPUB file should have permission to do so from the branch; although we do not know for real if they did or not.

 

I'm a little confused. Programmers don't need permission to create emulators for video game counsels or other hardware. They create new software which can interpret a certain type of data file to produce output similar to the original. 

 

I don't see how creating custom JWPUB files would be any different than emulators or creating mods for software. 

[gusdn1]

1 minute ago, 1MKnight said:

 

I'm a little confused. Programmers don't need permission to create emulators for video game counsels or other hardware. They create new software which can interpret a certain type of data file to produce output similar to the original. 

 

I don't see how creating custom JWPUB files would be any different than emulators or creating mods for software. 

 

It really depends on the company that owns it. Some allow mods or emulators, but others have strict rules to protect their material.

 

With JWPUB files, the organization has strict guidelines because they want to ensure nothing is being misused. Creating custom JWPUB files could potentially confuse people into thinking it’s official content from the organization. Remember, no other applications support JWPUB files other than our official apps, which is why there are restrictions. I’m sure you wouldn’t want random people or apostates creating JWPUB publications, right? That’s why the organization is careful about how it is used and distributed.

 

But ultimately, it comes down to each individual’s conscience and decision whether to follow the rules or not.

[Eejay]

14 hours ago, gusdn1 said:

But ultimately, it comes down to each individual’s conscience and decision whether to follow the rules or not.

Unless we get a specific direction on the matter, like the virtual literature carts during lockdown.

[carlos]

23 hours ago, Nigel said:

And they're on this forum. Do they violate the terms of use?

 

I am not a lawyer, but I reread the JW Library terms of use and didn't find anything forbidding third party publications. Interestingly, there is one paragraph that mentions such publications: "We cannot and do not guarantee access to information or other content belonging to any third party which is accessible by you through the Application (if any)."

 

I understand they are saying in case you download a publication from some other source the branch is not responsible for anything.

 

I don't like the idea of private individuals distributing publications in JWPub format, and I guess the branch isn't happy about it either. But I don't think it can be legally forbidden. Imagine Microsoft forbade to use Word to open certain publications they don't approve. They can't do that.

 

Now if you refer to this site's terms of use, it depends on the publication. If it's a copyrighted work, then it should not be posted here. In fact we prefer no files are posted here. If someone wishes to distribute a file they made, they can post about it and all those interested can contact them by private messenger.

 

21 hours ago, gusdn1 said:

But ultimately, it comes down to each individual’s conscience and decision whether to follow the rules or not.

 

But in order to obey the rules, there has to be a rule first. I didn't find any rule not to make publications. Our personal opinion is not a rule, just an opinion.

[dljbsp]

Just an observational note. JWPUB files, just like EPUB files, are actually ZIP files.
 

The ZIP file format was originally developed by Phil Katz in 1989. The format and the original software, PKZIP, were associated with Katz’s company, PKWARE, Inc.

 

As of now, 27 August 2024, the ZIP file format is an open standard, and no single company owns it. The format specifications have been publicly available, and it has been widely adopted across various platforms and software. Although PKWARE still develops and maintains PKZIP and related software, the ZIP format itself is free to use, and many companies and developers implement ZIP support in their own software products.

[lucas.rocha1000]

On 8/12/2024 at 9:33 PM, gusdn1 said:

 

Realmente depende da empresa que o possui. Alguns permitem mods ou emuladores, mas outros têm regras rígidas para proteger seu material.

 

Com os arquivos JWPUB, a organização tem diretrizes rígidas porque deseja garantir que nada esteja sendo mal utilizado. A criação de arquivos JWPUB personalizados pode confundir as pessoas, fazendo-as pensar que é conteúdo oficial da organização. Lembre-se de que nenhum outro aplicativo oferece suporte a arquivos JWPUB além de nossos aplicativos oficiais, e é por isso que há restrições. Tenho certeza de que você não gostaria que pessoas aleatórias ou apóstatas criassem publicações JWPUB, certo? É por isso que a organização é cuidadosa com a forma como é usada e distribuída.

 

Mas, em última análise, tudo se resume à consciência e à decisão de cada indivíduo de seguir as regras ou não.

I agree, I personally am creating a jwpub with notes and personal use. But the risk of apostates creating jwpub publications is a risk. That is why I always recommend everyone in the congregation to download directly from jw.org or within the app.

[trottigy]

This reminds me of the old iSilo days. There were many discussions about that as the branch didn't have an official policy and by the time they did we got permission from the branch for specific ones - actually the entire wtlibrary and an index file. That left open for others to use files for the "personal use" - which often were shared generously.

 

There were many who questioned the legitimacy of all that. Well .. I learned a lot about "fair use" and "personal use" back then. I imagine this isn't much different.

 

Note: I still miss my Concordance!

[Landon1285]

I like that when I side load a jwpub like the ones you mention it comes up with the category of personal under guidelines. 

 

[lucas.rocha1000]

5 hours ago, Landon1285 said:

I like that when I side load a jwpub like the ones you mention it comes up with the category of personal under guidelines. 

 

Wow!!! I like the "Personal" idea in Guidelines. I started this personal JWPUB project because the tags were getting a bit out of hand akakak I started organizing the convention and assembly by year and theme, and when I started the public talks and citation, I noticed that it was going to get huge akakak

 

Could you explain how you organize? I like new ideas for "Personal" organization

[jayrtom]

On 8/27/2024 at 11:08 PM, dljbsp said:

Just an observational note. JWPUB files, just like EPUB files, are actually ZIP files.
 

The ZIP file format was originally developed by Phil Katz in 1989. The format and the original software, PKZIP, were associated with Katz’s company, PKWARE, Inc.

 

As of now, 27 August 2024, the ZIP file format is an open standard, and no single company owns it. The format specifications have been publicly available, and it has been widely adopted across various platforms and software. Although PKWARE still develops and maintains PKZIP and related software, the ZIP format itself is free to use, and many companies and developers implement ZIP support in their own software products.

Another observation: Jwlibrary uses several open source apps

Quote

Open-Source Licenses

Portions of this software may utilize the following copyrighted material, the use of which is hereby acknowledged:

----------------------------------------

CommonServiceLocator

Flurl.Http

 

Microsoft.AppCenter.Analytics, Microsoft.AppCenter.Crashes, Microsoft.Xaml.Behaviors.Uwp.Managed, System.Threading.Tasks.Dataflow, System.ValueTuple, Xamarin.Essentials

 

Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory, Microsoft.SourceLink.AzureDevOpsServer.Git

 

Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.Notifications

 

Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.UI.Lottie

 

Microsoft.UI.Xaml

 

NETStandard.Library, Splat

 

Json.NET

 

Nito.AsyncEx.Coordination

 

QueryString.NET

 

Realm

 

SQLite-net

 

System.Reactive, System.Reactive.Linq - Reactive Extensions (Rx) for .NET

 

Validation

 

autosize

 

core-js

 

EventEmitter3

 

flux

 

htmlparser2

 

lodash

 

raf

 

react, react-dom

 

react-device-detect

 

react-router

 

react-textarea-autosize

 

react-transition-group

 

react-select

 

xregexp

 

Edited September 10 by jayrtom