License Information
This project uses a dual licensing structure to protect both the technical work and the original content creators.
TL;DR
- Code: MIT License (free to use and modify)
- Book Reviews: © Phinney Books (not for republication)
- Brand: "Phinney Books" trademark protected
- This Site: Unofficial archive, seeking Phinney Books approval
1. Source Code (MIT License)
The source code of this project (Astro components, TypeScript utilities, CSS styles, build configuration, and test files) is licensed under the MIT License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Steven Pate
Permission is granted to use, modify, and distribute the code. See the full LICENSE.md on GitHub for complete terms.
What You Can Do with the Code:
- ✅ Fork this project and adapt it for your own book archive
- ✅ Use the components and utilities in your own projects
- ✅ Modify and improve the code
- ✅ Use it for commercial purposes (subject to content restrictions below)
2. Book Reviews & Content (All Rights Reserved)
All book reviews, newsletter excerpts, and editorial content remain the intellectual property of Phinney Books and its staff writers.
What You CANNOT Do (Without Permission):
- ❌ Republish the book reviews on another website
- ❌ Use the review text in a commercial product
- ❌ Create competing book review archives or databases
- ❌ Train AI models on the review text for commercial purposes
Note: This archive itself was created by extracting and structuring data from publicly available newsletters. The above restrictions reflect the expectation that others should seek permission from Phinney Books before creating similar derivative works, just as this project seeks their approval.
What You CAN Do:
- ✅ Read the reviews on this site
- ✅ Link to individual book pages
- ✅ Quote brief excerpts with proper attribution (fair use)
3. Brand & Trademarks
The "Phinney Books" name, logo, and brand identity are owned by Phinney Books and are not licensed for use by this project or its derivatives.
4. Important Disclaimers
This is an Unofficial Archive
This website was not created by Phinney Books, but by an independent fan and customer who extracted and organized content from publicly available newsletters. It is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or officially connected to Phinney Books, though their input and approval is actively sought.
Seeking Permission
This project was created in good faith to preserve and make searchable 11 years of excellent book reviews. The creator is working with Phinney Books to ensure this archive aligns with their wishes and properly respects their intellectual property rights.
Content Removal or Modification
If Phinney Books requests removal or modification of any content, or has concerns about how their content or brand is being used, such requests will be promptly honored.
5. Summary Table
| Component | License | Commercial Use | Redistribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source Code | MIT | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Book Reviews | All Rights Reserved | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Phinney Books Brand | Trademark | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Book Covers | Third-Party © | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Questions?
For questions about:
- Code/technical issues: Open an issue on GitHub
- Content/licensing: Contact Phinney Books at (206) 588-2767 or visit phinneybooks.com
Complete License: For the full legal text and all terms, see LICENSE.md on GitHub.