Is it legal to post datasheets to a public repository?

[miceuz]

I like keeping datasheets in the same direcotry as my firmware code and schematic files. I wander if it's ok for me to I push datasheets to my public git repository?

[Zero999]

You can redistribute most datasheets without modification.

If you're not sure, check the legal information at the end of the datasheet or ask the manufacturer.

[alm]

Do you mean you can redistribute most datasheets as in the companies won't sue you or you legally can? Because the majority of the datasheets does not contain any language granting redistribution rights. TI datasheets mention that reproducing significant portions of TI information in data books or datasheets is allowed, but don't mention distributing complete datasheets. National and Fairchild don't mention it at all.

My take on it is that it is copyright infringement since the copyright holder did not license this use, but that it's extremely unlikely that TI et al. are going to care.

[AndrejaKo]

Remember that we already have huge datasheet repositories on the Internet. If redistribution was a problem, I'm sure that manufacturers would have shut some of them down. Also most resellers host datasheets as well.

[Stonent]

Octopart accepts user uploaded datasheets.  Any time I look up something there and see they don't have the datasheet and I've found it, I upload it to them.

[alm]

The big sites may have license agreements in place. I would consider it very likely that they license all authorized distributors to also distribute datasheets, for example.

Like I said, it's unlikely that the semiconductor vendors will care, but that doesn't make it legal.

[Bored@Work]

If you need (sort of) reliable information then the Internet is the wrong place to ask. Can you imagine the snickering of the audience and maybe even the judge when you try to argue in front of a judge "But your honor, that guy called sto888mla on that Internet forum told me it is OK. And he appears to be a honest guy from Ebonia!"?

If all you need is a guess, than your guess is as good as that from random strangers on the Internet. If you need more reliable information ask the copyright holders or a competent lawyer.

[MauriceS]

There are vendors which have strict rules in place. For example for Broadcom you won't get most datasheets unless you have signed an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement).
These are usually even branded with the requestor (company's) name - and those are not supposed to be published...

[amyk]

I'd say there are more datasheets under NDA than otherwise. Major pain in the backend when trying to troubleshoot and fix equipment. Fortunately we have the Chinese

Although given the number of companies that just leave datasheets on their site open to the public but with clear "confidential"/"NDA" markings on them, maybe they don't care too much...

[Jon Chandler]

Recently, I've come across a few data sheets where the PDF had the ability to copy it turned off.  Sometimes I'll copy the pin diagram when I'm creating the part in my schematic capture program or copy and paste a circuit diagram or equation for reference.  This is more annoying than anything else as I just do a screen capture when it happens.

[kizzap]

Just throwing this out there. What good is developing a part that no-one can use...

-kizzap

[jucole]

If you need (sort of) reliable information then the Internet is the wrong place to ask. Can you imagine the snickering of the audience and maybe even the judge when you try to argue in front of a judge "But your honor, that guy called sto888mla on that Internet forum told me it is OK. And he appears to be a honest guy from Ebonia!"?

If all you need is a guess, than your guess is as good as that from random strangers on the Internet. If you need more reliable information ask the copyright holders or a competent lawyer.

Just wondered, does that make your reply just as unreliable as the guy from Ebonia?  ;-)

[SeanB]

Recently, I've come across a few data sheets where the PDF had the ability to copy it turned off.  Sometimes I'll copy the pin diagram when I'm creating the part in my schematic capture program or copy and paste a circuit diagram or equation for reference.  This is more annoying than anything else as I just do a screen capture when it happens.

Ghostscript totally ignores that flag, it treats all files as going to a screen, even when printing them. I then print to a PDF and like magic it can be copied.

[AG6QR]

My reply might be as unreliabe as an internet guy from Ebonia, but at least I'll post a government source to try and get some credibility:

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf

BTW, that's a US government site, so the info only really applies in the USA, but I believe the fundamental basics are fairly similar worldwide through international treaty.  But I could be wrong, especially in Ebonia.

The basic summary is that virtually everything is protected by copyright as soon as it is written down in tangible form.  No copyright notice is required.  Datasheets would be included in this.  The copyright holder (the company authoring the datasheet) might grant you the right to distribute it.  They might even make a blanket grant allowing anyone to distribute copies, maybe with some sort of restriction (no alterations permitted, perhaps).  But unless you have some sort of arrangement that allows you to distribute them, they could sue you for unauthorized distribution of their copyrighted work, if they choose to do so.

Maybe they won't care.  I can imagine some companies would consider it free advertising, and would welcome broad distribution of their data sheets.  But I can imagine other companies that would care very much.  And they've probably got plenty of lawyers on staff.

[marshallh]

Doesn't matter if its legal...
What matters is the company's sentiment, and their past record dealing with (or not) such cases.
Unless you stomp your feet and wave a NDA'd sheet in their lawyers faces you probably won't even get noticed, and if you do, you'll just get a cease and desist first, just take down the PDF and move on...

[r3l3u]

depending on your country !  just joking....or not!

[Jon Chandler]

Thanks for the suggestion SeanB.  I think I've actually done that in the past.  I'll have to give it a try the next time I have this problem.

[ejeffrey]

Doesn't matter if its legal...
What matters is the company's sentiment, and their past record dealing with (or not) such cases.
Unless you stomp your feet and wave a NDA'd sheet in their lawyers faces you probably won't even get noticed, and if you do, you'll just get a cease and desist first, just take down the PDF and move on...

That depends on whether you are just posting some data sheets you find useful or whether you are buiding a business around generating ad revenue from people google searching part numbers of every semiconductor device known to man.  If you are the former, then yeah -- whatever the law is you aren't likely to get in any trouble.  If the latter, god dammit, stop that -- we already have too many of those stupid websites and they crowd out the manufacturers own pages in search results even for in-production parts!  But seriously -- if your business depends on it, check with a lawyer.  Otherwise have fun.