Modification, translation and adaptation of questionnaires should copyright laws be observed?

Abstract

This commentary is intended to start a discussion about whether people should be allowed to modify, translate, adapt or sell copyrighted questionnaires without the permission of the developer (copyright-holder).

An 18-item AQLQ(S) model: a reply to Juniper

“…Adaptation: (1) the process of adapting to something, (2) the quality of being adapted; adaptation; adjustment; adjustment to extant conditions, (3) to adjust to new conditions, etc. Translation: (1) translation is the action of interpretation of the meaning of a text, and subsequent production of an equivalent text, also called a translation, that communicates the same message in another language, (2) a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language, (3) the act of converting or translating etc. We refer to the above terms, appearing in the Google dictionary (modification, translation and adaptation), as elements of the validity testing process.…”

Intellectual property rights and good research practice

“…While the psychometric results are useful for understanding the measurement qualities of the AQLQ, the authors implied that they developed a new version of the instrument, the AQLQ-18. This resulted in an interesting exchange of perspectives related to intellectual property and copyright issues related to health outcome measures [3,4].…”

Patient-reported outcomes instruments: bridging the gap between international copyright laws and common practice for developers and users—a case example

“…The controversy between Juniper and Grammatopoulou et al is a perfect example of the difficulties inherent to C. Anfray (&) MAPI Research Trust, 27, rue de la villette, 69003 Lyon, France e-mail: canfray@mapigroup.com copyright [4,5]. A review of the facts will enable a better understanding of the situation:…”

“…In their initial paper, the authors indicate that no changes were made to the wording of the Greek version of the 32-item AQLQ(S) [9]. This is also underlined in their message to Professor Juniper when they state [4]: ''Initially we used the authorized Greek AQLQ(S) after obtaining the permission of Professor Juniper, who sent us the whole user's package. The AQLQ(S) was administered to five patients with asthma and five non-patients, to identify unclear items requiring modification.…”