I am not taking a side as to what e-sword may or may not do with regards to its licensing of Bible texts. To be fair to e-sword though, the website is very clear on the "for purchase" modules as in this example (http://www.e-sword.net/nasb.html) and others, as well as, those translations that have not been granted permission.
>Thats interesting to hear. I'm not sure that E-sword are doing things in >the most honest of ways, as I have downloaded a number of their bibles, and >none of them seem to come with an associated software license. I would have >assumed that even if the actual text is distributed for free, they would be >required to put in the file that says "Less than 500 verses, as long as its >not a whole book etc etc etc." With reference to license verbiage, this is the exact content of the license for the CEV from the application (note - each version or module can get the associated license from within the application by selecting the version and going to "Bible" in the menu bar and then "Information": "Scriptures marked as "(CEV)" are taken from the Contemporary English Version (c) 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. The text of the Contemporary English Version (CEV) appearing on or deriving from this application is for personal use only. Any other use of the CEV must be in conformity with the Quotation Policy for the Contemporary English Version. For more information about the Contemporary English Version, the Quotation Policy and for inquiries about permission to use the Contemporary English Version, go to www.americanbible.org" Here is the NASB License from within the application: "NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION A Corporation Not for Profit LA HABRA, CA All Rights Reserved http://www.lockman.org The "NASB," "NAS," "New American Standard Bible," and "New American Standard" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by The Lockman Foundation. Use of these trademarks requires the permission of The Lockman Foundation. PERMISSION TO QUOTE The text of the New American Standard Bible(R) may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of The Lockman Foundation, providing the verses do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for more than 25% of the total work in which they are quoted. Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page of the work as follows: "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." When quotations from the NASB(R) text are used in not-for-sale media, such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, transparencies or similar media, the abbreviation (NASB) may be used at the end of the quotation. This permission to quote is limited to material which is wholly manufactured in compliance with the provisions of the copyright laws of the United States of America. The Lockman Foundation may terminate this permission at any time. Quotations and/or reprints in excess of the above limitations, or other permission requests, must be directed to and approved in writing by The Lockman Foundation, PO Box 2279, La Habra, CA 90632-2279 (714)879-3055. http://www.lockman.org EXPLANATION OF GENERAL FORMAT QUOTATION MARKS are used in the text in accordance with modern English usage. "THOU," "THEE" AND "THY" are not used in this edition and have been rendered as "YOU" and "YOUR." PERSONAL PRONOUNS are capitalized when pertaining to Deity. ITALICS are used in the text to indicate words which are not found in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek but implied by it. ALL CAPS in the New Testament are used in the text to indicate Old Testament quotations or obvious references to Old Testament texts. Variations of Old Testament wording are found in New Testament citations depending on whether the New Testament writer translated from a Hebrew text, used existing Greek or Aramaic translations, or paraphrased the material. It should be noted that modern rules for the indication of direct quotation were not used in biblical times; thus, the ancient writer would use exact quotations or references to quotation without specific indication of such. ASTERISKS are used to mark verbs that are historical presents in the Greek which have been translated with an English past tense in order to conform to modern usage. The translators recognized that in some contexts the present tense seems more unexpected and unjustified to the English reader than a past tense would have been. But Greek authors frequently used the present tense for the sake of heightened vividness, thereby transporting their readers in imagination to the actual scene at the time of occurrence. However, the translators felt that it would be wise to change these historical presents to English past tenses." >I emailed another software developer called Online Bible, to ask about >alternative versions, and the second I mentioned E-Sword I got firmly >knocked back because (quote) "We have great reservation with anything >associated with e-sword. They took our copyright materials for their CD >without permission." I'll try and press things further. Is this everything that needs to be in there? I do not know, but I do not think that making suggestive remarks about someone's intent without that person involved in the conversation is appropriate. In fact, the Bible directs us to do otherwise. If e-sword has done something wrong with another provider, then e-sword needs to make a mends, but I do not think that this is the forum to create or propagate potential rumors. In fact, has anyone contacted e-sword to find out how he was able to obtain the permission? Maybe working in cooperation with one another might help obtain some of the harder to get translations, so those companies can see the bigger picture or market as it were... Lester Nichols -----Original Message----- From: Richard Gray [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 4:45 PM To: SWORD Developers' Collaboration Forum Subject: Re: [sword-devel] Other Bible versions > > We're kind of clueless about how e-Sword got permission to distribute the > TEV or CEV for free, and so are our contacts at ABS. But, in fairness, > the people we know at ABS aren't the rights people. Let us know if you > hear anything useful in reply. > Thats interesting to hear. I'm not sure that E-sword are doing things in the most honest of ways, as I have downloaded a number of their bibles, and none of them seem to come with an associated software license. I would have assumed that even if the actual text is distributed for free, they would be required to put in the file that says "Less than 500 verses, as long as its not a whole book etc etc etc." I emailed another software developer called Online Bible, to ask about alternative versions, and the second I mentioned E-Sword I got firmly knocked back because (quote) "We have great reservation with anything associated with e-sword. They took our copyright materials for their CD without permission." I'll try and press things further. As a Brit, its hard for me to get in touch with anyone in the ABS, however I do have the ear of the current chairman for the Scottish Bible Society. Is he likely to be of any use? I presume the associated licenses are held by the IBS as opposed to the ABS? I had a look at the ToDo list. I'm primarily a Java developer, but the JSword wiki doesn't appear to have changed since 2002. Is it dead in the water? If so, I can turn my hand to other programming languages, but if JSword is still alive (or even sinking, but still moving) then I'd sign up for that :) R _______________________________________________ sword-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.crosswire.org/mailman/listinfo/sword-devel Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message to anyone. If you have received it in error please advise the sender immediately by return email and then delete it and all copies from your system. Community Bank reserves the right to monitor all e-mail communications through its networks. 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