> From: Eicke Godehardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I don't want to circumvent rights. That's why I'm not for sword modules > of copyrighted texts in any form. But to provide a tool to build a > module myself for my use only should be ok, as/when private usage is > alowed. I'm even willing to pay for copyrighted sword modules, but > there is no one available. > Do you think this is a wrong, dubios or questionable? I'm realy not > shure about that.
A tool that is specifically designed to scrape text from a copyrighted, proprietary source probably violates the DMCA, and anyone distributing it could be accused to inducing infringement. The e-Sword import tool most definitely is designed to induce infringement, because the copyrighted texts they are designed to scrape are *not* licensed to be used in this manner. Every modern Bible version license prohibits this kind of usage. There is a reason why you have to pay to unlock the NIV in every Bible program you own, rather than just one time -- because that's the way they have licensed it, and it is definitely intentionally thus. One way to tick off licensors is to provide a means of circumventing their license. It would be a bad idea to do it. As for the arguments surrounding the legitimacy of copyrighting a translation of the Bible, it's largely irrelevant unless someone here is willing to go to court over it. Personally, I think it's absurd to insist that a translation of a public domain text constitutes a bona fide "creative work," and I think it's a little bit ironic that someone attempting to create an accurate translation would be willing to call their work a "creative act" in order to hold ownership of it. If they were honest in their advertising and called it a new creative work, they'd lose a lot of business. Also, putting a large legal notice at the beginning of a "Bible" warning people not to quote more than 500 verses without written permission is laughable -- who owns it? God or the publishers? Anyway, I digress -- until someone is willing to go to court over this, it's a moot point. -Brandon Staggs _______________________________________________ sword-devel mailing list: sword-devel@crosswire.org http://www.crosswire.org/mailman/listinfo/sword-devel Instructions to unsubscribe/change your settings at above page
