Can Jesus be copyrighted?

New Christian Church of Full Endeavor, Ltd., 55 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1680, 1686 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) (holding that a copyright could not be granted to a spiritual being such as Jesus, but only to a human being).

Is Christianity copyrighted?

Thus, religious works are copyrighted in the same manner as any other type of work. Since most of the world's major religions have been practiced for over a thousand years, their original scriptures are in public domain. This includes scriptures such as the Torah, the Bible, the Quran, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Who owns the copyright to the Bible?

The crown has a perpetual copyright on the King James Bible, through "letters patent" originally issued to stop unofficial editions and then to protect the country from ranters, shakers, Quakers, nonconformity and popery.

Can you copyright religious imagery?

Yes, you may trademark a religious symbol so long as the mark does not consist of, or comprise, matter that may disparage, bring into contempt or disrepute persons, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols. This information was provided by our founding attorney, Xavier Morales, Esq.

Does the Bible prohibit art?

Even taken alone, verse 4 still allows for nonfigurative art, both abstract and decorative. Neither naturalistic art that is not worshipped nor imaginary art is excluded by verses 4 and 5. The word "graven" in the King James Version suggests sculpture as the forbidden art.

Is Copyright Good for Creators

What does God say about creating art?

God made the beauties of creation because He enjoyed them (Psalm 104:30-31, Genesis 2:9). He made a beautiful place for us to live in and gave us the power to share His enjoyment of its beauty. Visual beauty is not only a means of creative expression and enjoyment, but also a universal means of communication.

What is a graven image in the Bible?

A graven image is an idol—an object or image, such as a statue, that is worshiped as the representation of a deity or god. The word graven means “carved” or “sculpted.” Graven image refers to some kind of object or image that has been made to represent a god.

Are Bible verses copyrighted?

The answer is "it depends." The New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, and the New King James Version have been copyrighted, as have many versions of the Bible since 1881, based on new translations. So quotes from long passages of their content may constitute infringement.

Can prayers be copyrighted?

It is important to note that only the specific versions of the prayers in these sources are certainly in the public domain. The books themselves, including all of their content, are public. However, the prayer in general, if listed outside of its source may not be.

Do I need permission to quote the Bible?

To use the NIV without specific permission you need to stay within their guidelines – including the 500 verses and maximum 25% content. Beyond that, you will need to seek permission and possibly pay a royalty (or use a different translation where the conditions are met).

Why does the KJV not have a copyright?

When quotations from the KJV text are used in materials not being made available for sale, such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, presentation materials, or similar media, a complete copyright notice is not required but the initials KJV must appear at the end of the quotation.

How long does a Bible copyright last?

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.

Is KJV Bible public domain?

Finally, this Note concludes that the printed KJV Bible is not sufficiently original from the public domain version, but that the NKJV Bible is sufficiently original. The NKJV Bible likely has a "thin" copyright ascribed to it, however, and will only be protected against verbatim copying.

Are Sermons copyrighted?

SERMONS ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

The creation and presentation of a sermon is a form of Intellectual Property (“IP”) known and protected under the laws regarding copyright.

Can you cite the Bible in a book?

For your in-text citation, you only need to include the title of the Bible in its language of publication, not the translated title as well. Italicize the title. Follow the title with the book and verse of your quotation, separated by a period.

Is Jesus trademarked?

In 2007, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted ownership of the word “Jesus” to Jesus Jeans, owned by a publicly-traded Italian company, BasicNet , giving the company exclusive rights in America to sell clothing bearing the name “Jesus.” The Jesus Jeans trademark applies to clothing articles including jackets, ...

Can I put a Bible verse on a shirt?

Reaffirm Your Faith with Bible Verse Shirts

Equally appropriate for groups or individuals, custom t-shirts with scriptures offer inspiration and support on daily basis. When it's time to demonstrate your love and support, bible verse shirts are a wonderful way to do it.

Can I use Bible verses in a song?

Yes. They have no copyright to the bible verse. No one does. But if your song too closely resembles theirs in words and/or music, that is a different story.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

Where in the Bible does it say to not worship idols?

This is expressed in the Bible in Exodus 20:3, Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8 and elsewhere, e.g.: Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.