Expert: Nyall Engfield - 2/2/2010

Question
Hi

I want to add to a manual on a 3D software program on Wikibooks.
What, if any are the legal risks associated with writing in Wikibooks?

In general, if a person publishes a manual or a how -to, how can they avoid all liability from damages caused by inaccuracies and omissions? Is an on-line how-to a trivial issue?

Answer
Typically, when you provide materials to a Wiki-site, the copyright is under a commons license, and while you may retain the copyright to the material, you are also granting a broad license to the Wiki-site to display the materials, and to viewers to display, and often copy, the materials.

The legal risks from a liability standpoint, in that the information you provide may cause harm to another when they rely on it, is also worth considering. A disclaimer sets out the limits of your liability in providing the information, and should appear on the site, such that a viewer will be deemed to consent to the disclaimer if he or she proceeds to view the materials. Wikibooks has such a disclaimer, which you can find at the bottom of the page.