Copyright laws and modern Bible versions.

Here's a link to an article that addresses this issue:


http://www.kjvonly.org/doug/king_james_copy.htm

 

All modern versions are copyrighted.

The KJB is not.

You can publish KJB from your own basement if you'd like, but don't try that with a modern version, unless you like spending time behind bars.

 

Homebound, I see that you display Florida as your location. What is your affiliation with the Pensacola Bible Institute (if any), if you don't mind me asking?

 

As pertains to any "defense" of the KJV, copyright is a red herring.

 

Even among Modern Version, which I use only as I would a Bible Commentary, the US Copyright laws are very clear that Churches can use them. We can't copy them to sell, but we can indeed use them if we wish.

The United States Copyright Law, Title 17 of the United States Code, Circular 92, Chapter 1, §107. states:
§ 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use.
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism , comment , news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use) , scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright .

In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include —

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes ;

(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

 

Let's just say that it's a close affiliation. Back to the topic at hand.

 

The assertion "all modern versions are copyright except the KJV" is a blatant lie spread by the KJVO versionolatry crowd.

The American Standard Version (ASV 1901) is Public Domain in the US.
Bible In Basic English (BBE) is Public Domain in the United States.
Darby Translation (DRB 1884) is Public Domain in the US.
World English Bible (WEB) is Public Domain in the US.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT 1898) is Public Domain in the US.

 

So I can take these books and copy and sell as many as I want, right?

 

Yes, you can. And the list is much longer than that, including many Bibles - some even as recently published as last year.

God bless,
Brian

 

You can look at the website about the copyright and the KJB -- Click here -- Is the A.V. copyrighted?

 

Bob, without the copyright, the modern versions would steal the KJV.

With the copyright, the modern versions can't COPY the KJV.

That's why the copyright is PROTECTED.

 

Askjo
You are making less and less sense.

Please explain your last post to the rest of us.

 

Why would MVs want to steal the KJV. If your translating a more accurate version into modern english, why steal material 400 years old? That just doesn't make sense.

 

The whole KJVO copyright issue is HORSEFEATHERS!!

Common sense says that if a publisher doesn't make money on a given volume, he/she isn't gonna keep printing it. The KJV is no exception. If it weren't selling, it'd go out of print. Publishers don't print and sell ANY BV except to SELL FOR PROFIT. (Not saying all publishers are evil; it's just that they gotta feed their families same as us!)

How many publishers add things such as illustrations and "forwards" written by some well-known pastor to their special editions of the KJV so they can copyright that edition? Quite a few.

Now, do these copyrights change one blip of the TEXT of the KJV or any other version ? Newp! This is why the copyrights thing is just another KJVO publicity stunt short on meaningful fact and long on hot air. It's just another "Hail Mary" desperation pass that falls incomplete.