[sword-devel] Other Bible versions

[Richard Gray]

Nichols, Lester wrote:
> I am not taking a side as to what e-sword may or may not do with regards to
> its licensing of Bible texts. To be fair to e-sword though, the website is
> very clear on the "for purchase" modules as in this example
> (http://www.e-sword.net/nasb.html) and others, as well as, those
> translations that have not been granted permission. 
> 
> 
>>Thats interesting to hear. I'm not sure that E-sword are doing things in
>>the most honest of ways, as I have downloaded a number of their bibles, and
>>none of them seem to come with an associated software license. I would have
>>assumed that even if the actual text is distributed for free, they would be
>>required to put in the file that says "Less than 500 verses, as long as its
>>not a whole book etc etc etc."
> 
> 
> With reference to license verbiage, this is the exact content of the license
> for the CEV from the application (note - each version or module can get the
> associated license from within the application by selecting the version and
> going to "Bible" in the menu bar and then "Information":
> 
> "Scriptures marked as "(CEV)" are taken from the Contemporary English
> Version (c) 1995 by American Bible Society.  Used by permission.
> 
> The text of the Contemporary English Version (CEV) appearing on or deriving
> from this application is for personal use only.  Any other use of the CEV
> must be in conformity with the Quotation Policy for the Contemporary English
> Version.  For more information about the Contemporary English Version, the
> Quotation Policy and for inquiries about permission to use the Contemporary
> English Version, go to www.americanbible.org"
> 
> Here is the NASB License from within the application:
> 
> "NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE
> Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by
> THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION
> A Corporation Not for Profit
> LA HABRA, CA
> All Rights Reserved
> http://www.lockman.org
> 
> The "NASB," "NAS," "New American Standard Bible," and "New American
> Standard" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and
> Trademark Office by The Lockman Foundation.  Use of these trademarks
> requires the permission of The Lockman Foundation.
> 
> 
> PERMISSION TO QUOTE
> 
> The text of the New American Standard Bible(R) may be quoted and/or
> reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express
> written permission of The Lockman Foundation, providing the verses do not
> amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for
> more than 25% of the total work in which they are quoted.
> 
> Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page of the work
> as follows:
> 
> "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright (C)
> 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
> Used by permission."
> 
> When quotations from the NASB(R) text are used in not-for-sale media, such
> as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, transparencies or similar
> media, the abbreviation (NASB) may be used at the end of the quotation.
> 
> This permission to quote is limited to material which is wholly manufactured
> in compliance with the provisions of the copyright laws of the United States
> of America.  The Lockman Foundation may terminate this permission at any
> time.
> 
> Quotations and/or reprints in excess of the above limitations, or other
> permission requests, must be directed to and approved in writing by The
> Lockman Foundation, PO Box 2279, La Habra, CA 90632-2279 (714)879-3055.
> http://www.lockman.org
> 
> EXPLANATION OF GENERAL FORMAT
> 
> QUOTATION MARKS are used in the text in accordance with modern English
> usage.
> 
> "THOU," "THEE" AND "THY" are not used in this edition and have been rendered
> as "YOU" and "YOUR."
> 
> PERSONAL PRONOUNS are capitalized when pertaining to Deity.
> 
> ITALICS are used in the text to indicate words which are not found in the
> original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek but implied by it.
> 
> ALL CAPS in the New Testament are used in the text to indicate Old Testament
> quotations or obvious references to Old Testament texts.  Variations of Old
> Testament wording are found in New Testament citations depending on whether
> the New Testament writer translated from a Hebrew text, used existing Greek
> or Aramaic translations, or paraphrased the material.  It should be noted
> that modern rules for the indication of direct quotation were not used in
> biblical times; thus, the ancient writer would use exact quotations or
> references to quotation without specific indication of such.
> 
> ASTERISKS are used to mark verbs that are historical presents in the Greek
> which have been translated with an English past tense in order to conform to
> modern usage.  The translators recognized that in some contexts the present
> tense seems more unexpected and unjustified to the English reader than a
> past tense would have been.  But Greek authors frequently used the present
> tense for the sake of heightened vividness, thereby transporting their
> readers in imagination to the actual scene at the time of occurrence.
> However, the translators felt that it would be wise to change these
> historical presents to English past tenses."
> 
> 
>>I emailed another software developer called Online Bible, to ask about 
>>alternative versions, and the second I mentioned E-Sword I got firmly
>>knocked back because (quote) "We have great reservation with anything
>>associated with e-sword. They took our copyright materials for their CD
>>without permission." I'll try and press things further.
> 
> 
> Is this everything that needs to be in there? I do not know, but I do not
> think that making suggestive remarks about someone's intent without that
> person involved in the conversation is appropriate. 

I can only apologise. I honestly did not mean to suggest that anything improper 
was going on. I could not find any license references in my downloaded program, 
and I had assumed that they were necessary. (The OnlineBible distributes a 
license.doc file with its modules) I have no real idea how copyright licenses 
apply, so (as I demonstrated in a previous post) its much more likely that I 
have simply got the wrong end of the stick.

In response to the question 'Have you asked?' Yes, I have emailed both 
OnlineBible and E-Sword, and what I quoted from previously was the end of my 
correspondance with OnlineBible. I don't know who to believe in the matter.

It seems a shame that the three (Sword Project, E-Sword, Online Bible) can't get 
some standard to their applying for copyright licenses. There must be a lot of 
duplication of effort going on, in code as well. It feels like being at my 
church board meeting :)

At any rate, I apologise if I caused anyone any upset and/or offence. Hats off 
to you guys though for being much more responsive :)

R