Copyright – a quick overview
Copyright law and its implications for Bible translation and the development of discipleship tools.
This marks the beginning of a new series of posts that will expand on the topic of copyright law and its implications for Bible translation and the development of discipleship tools. Posts about GenAI will continue, as it remains critically important for the future of Bible translation, but understanding copyright and licensing is essential for authors. I hope these posts will enlighten and challenge your thinking while broadening your understanding of what Scripture teaches about living in these times.
The world of content production and copyright is often stimulating, challenging, and at times confusing. As you create content for distribution, you enter a realm where almost everything is restricted by licensing agreements. It seems that, as a society, we are hesitant to share for fear of losing potential revenue streams, even though the earnings for most authors are minimal. Authors can easily lose sight of the true purpose behind their creations: the public good and their sincere desire to bless and help others.
These posts address various legal, ethical, and licensing questions involved in creating content for distribution. We hope they assist individuals seeking to understand the fundamental principles of copyright and licensing, while also providing insights into trademarks and their significance in this process. Although this site does not offer legal advice, you will find articles, white papers, and resources that help clarify aspects of copyright law related to content creation. We believe that the public good and the call to disciple others inspire creativity. For leaders and shepherds burdened for others, witnessing lives change provides the greatest incentive to create and is far more rewarding than any material gain.
Copyright – a quick overview
The short version: You create it; you own it. The extended version: Copyright is the protection that governments provide for original works of authorship. It is a modern, secular right that grants authors, composers, and artists exclusive rights to exploit their work. This right is automatic, occurring when an idea is expressed (or fixed) in a tangible form. In most countries, copyright lasts for the author's lifetime plus 70 years. Although there is no “international” copyright law, copyright between countries is broadly similar, as most adhere to the Berne Convention with its common standards.
Receiving copyright protection
Copyright law today differs significantly from what it was in the late 1700s. Initially, individuals had to apply for copyright protection, which was only available for published content, and the protection lasted for a period of 12 to 18 years. Now, the right is automatic and begins when the original expression is written down, typed, drawn, or recorded. It’s that simple. There is no requirement to publish the work, and no registration is necessary to obtain a copyright.
So, who owns the work that a person creates? The maxim in copyright – “you create it, you own it” is true most of the time. Unless considered a work-made-for-hire exception, an author or artist owns everything they create (but only according to precise standards). Employers typically own the work of their employees; however, content created by volunteers for a church or organization is generally owned by those volunteers as authors. When someone copies or otherwise takes advantage of another person’s works without permission, it is referred to as infringement, and the law provides legal remedies to authors whose works have been infringed.
What is copyrightable
The rules defining what is copyrightable encompass various categories, including literary works, musical works (including lyrics), dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographies, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, movies (even those made with a cellphone), and sound recordings. Authors hold specific rights in all these categories: to restrict copying, control derivatives, control distribution, permit or refuse public performances and public displays, and to control digital copies.
Data and facts do not receive copyright protection since they exist globally and are not regarded as being created by anyone. Additionally, an author’s efforts or hard work alone usually do not result in copyright protection in most countries. Lastly, when a work enters the public domain, it becomes available without restrictions.
Public Domain (PD) and “fair use”
Public domain refers to works that lack copyright protection, typically because they have exceeded the copyright term. Anyone can copy, distribute, create derivative works, or otherwise use public domain content. Regarding Fair Use, it is not a right but a defense against infringement and is often suggested as a solution without a clear understanding of its legal limitations. Caution, knowledge, and legal advice should precede any claim of fair use.
The question of quality
Copyright of a work neither references, implies, nor guarantees its quality or virtue. Copyright does not discriminate based on quality. Once the content is fixed in a tangible format, it receives protection, regardless of its merit. Instead, copyright has always focused on the financial benefits of the protected content, ensuring that only the author can exploit the work. Copyright doesn’t stop dreadful, inappropriate, or heretical works.
The author controls their work, not copyright law.
Finally, it is essential to note that copyright law does not dictate what authors must do with their works. An author, artist, or composer can choose to control their work or opt to share it freely. The “All Rights Reserved” statement found inside the front cover of most books, including those about Biblical matters, reflects a deliberate choice made by the authors. Copyright law doesn’t restrict anything; rather, it enables the authors to restrict, limit, and impose rules on their work, and it allows authors to be as generous as they wish.
It’s not publishers or lawyers who mandate All Rights Reserved. Authors alone can share or restrict. Only the owner of a work has the authority to decide which permissions to grant or to whom they wish to license, assign, or sell them. Copyright law grants them that power.
The author’s responsibility
While this modern, government-sanctioned, secular right may seem appealing, another dimension is added for Christian believers. Biblical teaching should guide the decision to limit or generously share biblical training content. Moses says, "Do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord…" (Deu 6:18). Jesus reminds us to limit or share in the same way we would desire others to do for us (or our family – Mat 7:12). He directs us to stop hiding our lamp (Mar 4:21) and emphasizes that our duty to rescue is greater than our duty to self (Luk 10:37). Sharing is foundational to Scripture, contrasting with the "All Rights Reserved" approach of modern copyright law for secular content. To share or to restrict – choose wisely.
Bruce Erickson © 2025
[A PDF copy of this post is available at https://www.academia.edu/129858193/Copyright_Quick_Overview]