Copyright for available resources

Question

If a resource is available to me to download via Download/Install Resources, what can I assume about licensing/copyright?

There are multiple resources available to all ParaText users that I’d like to heavily utilize in our translation process, but am concerned about copyright issues. I don’t want to get down the road a ways and have someone tell me that I don’t have permission to use a certain resource the way that I am.

Obviously it would be fine to use something as a comparative resource, but what about using as a base for an adaption into a similar language? What amount of material may be copied/minimally altered without requiring specific permission from the copyright holder?

I’ve searched around on both the PT and DBL sites, but have been unable to find what the agreement looks like when someone makes a resource as available to all translators.

Answer 1

I know that the ESV specifically has a pop-up that says it may not be used as the base for an adaptation. Does that imply that other translations do not have the same stipulation? Hopefully someone who works more closely with the DBL can answer this.

Comments

Paratext resources are intended to enrich a user’s understanding of the Biblical text, together with the handbooks, and original language text. The FOBAI translation principles must be agreed to by all Paratext users as a condition of using the Translator’s edition of Paratext. The guidelines specifically say

“We endeavor to use the original language Scripture texts as the basis for translation, recognizing that these are always the primary authority. However, reliable Bible translations in other languages may be used as intermediary source texts.”

The ESV specifically insisted that their text NOT be used as “the sole base English text from which any translation of the Bible is made”. This is wise, and in keeping with the FOBAI principles, because there are many other English resources, such as other comparative translations and the handbooks, that should help make decisions for the translation.

The only danger that you could face is if you took a resource like the NLT and set it up with the Paratext Interlinearizer to make an adaptation directly into the target language. We would highly discourage you from doing this anyway because it is arguably a violation of the FOBAI translation principles. Whether or not Tyndale comes after you for it is another issue. It would be hard to win in court because it is a translation of a translation (and a bad translation, at that).

If you want the licensing agreement under which the resources were released to Paratext users, I think you’ll find that they simply chose to make their text available as a resource for Bible translators. We agree not to allow copying or printing sections of the text beyond a certain number of verses to protect their resource. The text is still protected under it’s original copyright, which in the case of the Unlocked Bible series, is Creative Commons. However, they all understand that translators are looking at their text as one of many resources in the translation process.