We often assume that the Bible is above copyright laws because after all, it is a religious text. However, as with many other works, the Bible is indeed subject to copyright, though with many exceptions. It’s important to understand the nuances of copyright in relation to the Bible in order to avoid any unintended infringements.
What makes the Bible easily distinguishable from other works is the fact that much of it is in the public domain both in the United States and internationally. Copyright laws protecting intellectual property date back to 1709 in the United Kingdom, but only apply to works created since then. As the first publication of the Bible dates back to before 1709, the Bible as a whole is exempt from such copyright laws.
However, while the Bible’s main content is no longer subject to national copyright law, it can be subject to regional or international copyright depending on individual circumstances, as is the case with any other work. This can take the form of the translation done for a particular edition of the Bible, the cover artwork, or any additional editorial content included. Some organisations that have translated the Bible have designated the rights to the translation to be held in perpetuity, meaning the copyright does not expire.
Besides copyright, the Bible also enjoys protection from other intellectual property laws such as trademarks. Several organisations have registered trademarks on biblical words or phrases in order to protect their specific edition of the Bible or other associated products. For example, the phrase ‘Holy Bible’ has been a registered trademark since 2011, while ‘King James Version’ or ‘New International Version’ are used by respective publishers to denote their versions of the Bible.
When it comes to distributing Bibles electronically, copyright laws may also be applicable. That’s because most of these e-Bibles are based on a specific edition or translation, which may fall under a company’s specific copyright or trademark. Wherever this applies, these organisations exercise control over reproduction and copying, so that the original material remains unaltered and under the publisher’s control.
Ensuring that the Bible gets the protection it deserves is important, as it’s important to uphold integrity and trust in the way this religious and spiritual text is disseminated. As such, it’s best to abide by copyright laws around the Bible, especially when creating digital versions, so that organisations and companies that have invested in its material can enjoy the recognisable protection.
Translating, Quoting and Storing the Bible
When it comes to copying the contents of the Bible, translations are what separate original works from those that can be copyright protected. If a translator has invested their own creativity into the rendering of a Bible text, then these versions can be legally safeguarded. Anything that adheres to the original work of the Bible. However, it would not be illegal to reproduce a translation from one language to another, as this does not require creativity, but is instead the mechanical reproduction of textual content.
When it comes to quoting from the Bible, there are a few exceptions. In most cases, extracts from the Bible smaller than 400 words and no more than a third of an entire work can be reproduced without infringing copyright. Therefore, authors and editors who want to use Bible passages in academic and non-commercial environments may generally do so without having to worry about infringement.
The Bible-reading experience can also be stored in the form of apps, audio recordings and other digital forms. In doing so, organisations must pay attention to the laws related to data storage. In addition, there are other laws that pertain to how these digital recordings or data can be used, what content may be included, how the product should be labelled and other such information. Therefore, organisations must take the necessary steps to ensure that their digital Bible buying and storing experience adheres to all applicable law.
Biblically Authored Works and Copyright
The same general principles of copyright that apply to any other work can also be extended to works related to the Bible. For example, works of biblical commentary qualify for copyright protection, as do various translations of the Bible and new works of reference.
Authors of biblically themed books and commentaries can also gain copyright protection in their works. This is due to the fact that, while the original work of the Bible itself is exempt from copyright protection, the author’s creative additions such as interpretations or clarifications of existing scripture are eligible for copyright protection.
In addition to this, like other works, biblically themed books are protected by the ‘right of authorship’. It is a right granted to authors to prevent others from making alterations to their work without the author’s permission. In some cases, authors may also register trademarks on key words or phrases in order to protect their work from infringement.
The intellectual property rights of biblically themed works also depend on each jurisdiction. Rules vary from state to state and legislation is subject to change, so authors must stay aware of the legal framework in which their works are being created.
Protecting the Bible from Abuse
Given all the copyright and intellectual property considerations, copyright laws are essential in protecting the integrity of the Bible. It is the church’s duty to protect the Bible from abuse and infringement, so that it can be most effectively used for religious, educational and historical purposes, both online and offline.
The church has also adopted specific guidelines around using the Bible or portions of it in religious education and other associated activities. As mentioned earlier, reproducing Biblical passages requires permission, so it’s important to always check with the original publisher or copyright holder before using it. If organisations do not adhere to the copyright guidelines, they may be liable for legal action.
Additionally, the church allows Christian publishers to produce and distribute versions of the Bible to their own communities, as long as these versions are based on the original edition and have not been changed or adapted in any way. This allows for diverse interpretations to be included so as to better reflect the diversity of the Christian faith.
Making the Bible Accessible
Copyright laws help to ensure that the Bible continues to be an accessible and integral part of Christian culture, something that is important for many different religious groups. With an ever-increasing population of believers, ensuring that the Bible remains accessible and that its message is not misrepresented is more important than ever before.
The banking of rights organisations allow non-exclusive sharing of the Bible across multiple languages and formats, making it easier to access the original scripture. This way, the Bible can reach more people in more countries and people can better understand the original message in its entirety.
Overall, it’s important to recognise the delicate balance between respecting a religious text and protecting its message. While many versions of the Bible are in the public domain and are hence exempt from copyright laws, it’s still important to abide by the copyright laws protecting the translations, commentary and other Biblically related works.
Interpreting the Bible
It’s also important to keep in mind that no new work related to the Bible can be claimed to have copyright protection if it does not meet certain criteria. That is, it must include an element of originality and creativity to be regarded as sufficiently different in content or form. If this criteria is not met, then the material is considered to be derivative of existing biblical works and therefore unprotected.
Furthermore, while religious texts are often interpreted differently by different faiths, often in vastly different ways, there are still copyright laws protecting interpretations of the Bible. This includes audio recordings, motion picture interpretations and written commentaries, all of which are subject to copyright and intellectual property law.
However, the interpretation of the Bible does not just mean coming to different conclusions about the original message. It also includes the reworking of the Bible to create original works of art, such as art prints, paintings, sculptures, textiles and other items. These sorts of works enjoy copyright protection and must be reflected in the copyright filing.
A Sacred Text
The Bible is a unique work in terms of both its content and its standing in society. As such, the laws governing copyright of the Bible can seem quite intimidating. Even though portions of the Bible may be in the public domain, copyright laws still need to be honoured in order to prevent any infringements. This is important to protect the integrity of the original scripture and to ensure that authors and publishers are able to protect their work.
At the same time, keeping the Bible accessible and available to all is also important, as this allows different versions of the text to reach multiple audiences. Copyright laws can help to ensure that the Bible and all its forms remain accessible, and that its message is respected and interpreted in line with copyright laws.
