Obtaining Copyright Permission for Latin Text
  • MacCooney
    Posts: 4
    Greetings. I'm having a terrible time trying to figure out who/what to credit for use of Latin text, as well as obtaining copyright permission for 2 works: A Mass setting in Latin; and a setting of the Nunc Dimittis.
    I've been told the Liberia Editrice Vaticana is claiming copyright to the missal (3rd Ed.). Who owns (if anyone) the Latin copyright to the Nunc Dimittis, I don't know.
    Any savvy copyright folks out there that can help? I've contacted someone at ICEL for help (since they were great in helping me with my English mass) but not sure what will come of it.

    Thanks!
    Mac
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    The Latin copyright to the Nunc Dimittis is likely so deep in the Public Domain that its grandchildren's derivitave works have already lapsed.

    As to the Latin text of the Mass Ordinary (at least that's what I'm assuming you're using, correct me if I'm wrong), that's also much, much older than the Missal, and I think anyone would have a hard time defending that copyright.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,824
    Same probably goes for the text of the Propers I suspect.
  • MacCooney
    Posts: 4
    Yes- the Ordinary.
    I hope this is the case- there is conflicting information about it "out there" on the internets.
    I heard that even the Latin (not the Ordinary) was modified in the 3rd Ed. - and that the Vatican considers all of it one work- and are claiming copyright. Sounds absurd- but trying to find out for sure.
  • MacCooney
    Posts: 4
    Another question: for the text of the Nunc, should I just cite Luke?
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    , trad.
  • MacCooney
    Posts: 4
    Right. Thanks.
  • SkirpRSkirpR
    Posts: 854
    I have heard the Vatican claims copyright on the Missal merely to protect the text. I don't know exactly what that means, but I assume that they believe they would have legal recourse should someone take the text and manipulate it for truly evil purposes, but I have trouble envisioning how that would all play out exactly.
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    The Vatican might consider it all one work, and though I'm no IP scholar, I have a hard time believing that claim could possibly hold up in court, given the age of many of the texts claimed therein.

    In other words, I can't compile the Complete Works of Shakespeare, claim it all as one new edition, and forbid anyone else from using his original words.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    The fact that anyone would even feel the need to ask about the copyright status of words over a thousand years old is indicative of the general confusion and goofiness surrounding the conception of "Intellectual Property."
    Thanked by 3Andrew_Malton Andrew Motyka francis
  • Maureen
    Posts: 678
    St. Jerome isn't claiming copyright on anything. The only thing he complained about was people copying his books and translations all around Europe and Asia before he'd had a chance to make a final draft.
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