if i cant ,why cant i?is it not gods work.
2007-07-25 02:51:38 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Ok, everyone that has answered so far is forgetting an important detail. While the Bible is very old and there are no copyrights on the original text, there can be copyrights on a particular translation of the Bible. This will not matter for older versions like the King James, but could apply to newer versions of the Bible. If you are copying from a version of the Bible to which someone holds a copyright, you could get in trouble.
That said, it is highly unlikely that anyone will come after you for copying the Bible unless you are selling copies of their work. Most people in that type of work are more interested in spreading the word than making money.
2007-07-25 03:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by Michael C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can make copies of older versions that are in the public domain.
Even if the original is god's work, or even if it isn't -- the particular print and artwork and any other additions to the basic content would be protected as a derivative work. As would any new translation or rephrasing.
So, you can copy the original content or older translations. But not newer derivative works that are still in copyright.
2007-07-25 10:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The King James Version of the Bible is in public domain. Certain newer translations are under current copyright laws. but, to avoid prosecution on violations of Church and State you must make sure you are not making copies in a public library. public school or any goverment owned copier.
2007-07-25 12:31:25 · answer #3 · answered by Socrates66 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This question should be over in the "Law and ethics" category but......
Who is going to prosecute? All the authors have been dead for over a thousand years and there were no copy wright laws back then.
It is published by hundreds of publishers all around the world so whats one more. GO FOR IT!
2007-07-25 10:00:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under the law, a particular translation will be considered to be the work of the translators.
So, if the particular translation is not subject to copyright, e.g. King James, you can legally spread god's word to your heart's content. Otherwise, you need the permission of the copyright owners.
2007-07-25 13:14:31 · answer #5 · answered by Bill G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can. Copyright protection only lasts a certain amount of time. I think it's 50 years for literature in the UK... or is that music or film. Nevertheless... all of them have a time limit for copyright protection.
Get the photocopier out and bang out a few copies please. Sounds like great fun and really worthwhile.
2007-07-25 09:55:51 · answer #6 · answered by golfgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anyone can copy it copyrights last 100 years, you can copy romeo and juliet, anything that has been CW over 100 years, as long as you don't change a thing....I mean you can but then you'll have to rename it....
2007-07-25 10:01:17 · answer #7 · answered by Joule 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is in the public domain (i.e, up for grabs). Unless you have somehow found a "new" translation.
Go for it. You can probably download it though somewhere online and save the paper/time.
2007-07-25 09:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by pizziehl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was written by men, nobody knows who they were and all been dead a long time. There are copyrighted translations though.
2007-07-25 09:59:18 · answer #9 · answered by mattgo64 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get permission from whoever owns the copyright, if anyone does.
2007-07-25 09:55:41 · answer #10 · answered by icam62 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋