Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Georgia

Can I take a verse or passage from the Bible (King James, New King James etc), print it on a piece of clothing, then apply for a copyright and/or trademark of the verse I am using in commerce? Also, if I can copyright and/or trademark that concept can I also specify where and/or how the verse is placed on the clothing?


Asked on 8/22/10, 11:01 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Effectively, you want to know whether you can freely take verses from the Bible, and then somehow obtain the legal right to restrict others from doing so. No, of course not.

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Answered on 8/27/10, 11:08 am
Phillip M. Cook Cook Legal Services, LLC

I second that answer. Can't do it. Sorry. Best of luck.

*******The above is for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.******

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Answered on 8/27/10, 11:09 am
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

As the others have said, no.

I should add that the original King James is I believe public domain, and many other versions are copyrighted. So the others can't be used without permission at all.

You likely could use the King James language but you can't copyright it, since God (or his followers) and not you is the author.

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Answered on 8/27/10, 1:04 pm


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