[sword-devel] RSV/NRSV: Nope.

[Mike Hart]

There is a copy of the RSV new testament available on the Internet Archive @ ( http://www.archive.org/stream/newcovenantcommo009161mbp#page/n5/mode/1up ) In this work published in the United States, the copyright statement declares "copyright 1946/ International Council of Religious Education/to insure the purity of the text".

The way I read this copyright statement, it releases all non revisionist uses of the text. Because of this, all uses of the RSV new testament which do not alter the text should be legal. I don't have access to a facsimile of a first edition old testament or whole bible, but I would expect the same copyright statement to be present if it was completed under the same Council.  

This copyright statement is clearly intended only to preserve the work of the contributors against alteration, and was not taken to create a marketing legacy. 

(I'm not a lawyer, so don't go using this as a legal brief).  



--- On Sun, 8/23/09, Manfred Bergmann <bergmannmd at web.de> wrote:

> From: Manfred Bergmann <bergmannmd at web.de>
> Subject: Re: [sword-devel] RSV/NRSV: Nope.
> To: "SWORD Developers' Collaboration Forum" <sword-devel at crosswire.org>
> Date: Sunday, August 23, 2009, 10:54 AM
> 
> Am 23.08.2009 um 00:38 schrieb Karl Kleinpaste:
> 
> > On 15 July, someone posted some info to sword-support
> about asking for
> > use of RSV/NRSV.  So I put together a rather
> careful, formal, gracious
> > note, answering all their questions and seeking to
> have RSV/NRSV made
> > available to be turned into modules.
> > 
> > About half an hour ago, I finally got a
> response.  The important part:
> > 
> >> We appreciate your interest in making the RSV/NRSV
> available as modules for
> >> the Sword Project.  However, at this time, we
> do not authorize any open
> >> source uses of the RSV/NRSV.  God's blessings
> on your ministry.
> > 
> > I have to say that I am sick to death of the bias
> against quality
> > software that just happens not to be controlled by
> either some large
> > corporation or some small-minded individual.
> > 
> > Anyhow, I followed up with a couple paragraphs of
> further inquiry as to
> > the source of the policy, explaining a few obvious
> sample uses of open
> > source software that everybody in the world uses, and
> asking for the
> > opportunity to discuss the matter with those in charge
> of the policy.
> > 
> > If folks were to pray for a change of heart with these
> folks, it
> > wouldn't hurt.  Otherwise, I don't have even a
> little hope for success.
> 
> I would also be interested what really the reasons are,
> what fear it is they have against open source.
> 
> 
> Manfred
> 
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