let's say I somehow have access to the texts of the NIV, NKJV, and/or ESV. This might be through the Internet, Bible Explorer, e-Sword, etc.
To vague. If you are making a copy of a copyrighted text from a source you don't own it is very unlikely it is fair use. Think of it like this, you never own the text, unless you are the copyright holder, but you may own the book or cd it is on. Even if you own the source it is on making a copy still depends on other things to be fair use. Making a backup may be fair use.
to prepare these texts into the 31,102 KJV versification format and then, for strictly personal use, incorporate for usage with something like LcdBible/BerBible or BibleCs?
These are the kind of things judges decide and fair use becomes whatever a judge says it is. Realistically, no one is going to care what you do that is private to you. That means no one else is involved. If it takes one other party it is not private.
I've not proposing distribution to anyone, but strictly for personal use on my own computer.
Personal/private use is not a guarantee of fair use. If you download a movie or song for your personal use you could be in big trouble. Texts are no different.
Does the above fall within the understood doctrine(s) of "Fair Use" of copyrighted material by individuals for personal use?
If so, how about the "next step": to provide detailed information about how to accomplish the above?
If so, how about the "next step": to provide utility software to accomplish the above?
Providing information and software could fall under current vicarious and contributory infringement doctrines. There is also a new bill that has been introduced, the INDUCE Act, short for the Inducement Devolves Into Unlawful Child Exploitation Act of 2004. If passed it would make it illegal to aid, abet, induce or procure illegal copies. If your information or software "induces" an illegal act of copying this could be trouble, even if there are other cases where the copying was legal. Think of 123 software. It has legal uses but is seen by some as inducing violations. Hopefully this law will not pass, at least not as it is.
See:http://scrawford.net/courses/INDUCE%20Act%20of%202004.pdf
If you are going to provide information or software that helps others make copies of copyrighted works you should stay on top of what the law is, as it changes. Also, the laws are different in other countries, so give some thought to keeping people in other countries out of trouble too.
Jerry IANALNDIPOOTV
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