Vatican chokes itself to death
The Vatican has finally brough itself fully into the 20th century by embracing copyrights.
Publishers will have to negotiate a levy of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of the cover price of any book or publication “containing the Pope's words”. Those who infringe the copyright face legal action and a higher levy of 15 per cent.
Pope Benedict XVI has entrusted Vatican Radio with the exercise and protection of the copyright and intellectual property rights of all audio recordings of his voice dating back to the period prior to his elevation to the Chair of Peter, with the exception of those rights already legitimately acquired by third parties.
Well, it was nice knowing you, Vatican. You've just ensured that the Pope will never again be quoted by any major media outlet. Do you really think Newsweek or The New York Times is willing to give you three percent of their gross income, even from a single issue, ever? Do you think they're willing to risk 15 percent of their daily income by even quoting a single papal word? Ferget it, dudes. You've just proudly erased yourselves from the eyes and ears of the world. Buh bye. Nice knowin' ya.
An anonymous person on livejournal sent me your way because I'd commented on this whole vatican copyright thing in my journal (nothing substantial really, more just noting that it happened -- I'm a librarian and thus like to keep tabs on this sort of thing).
In general, I agree with your sentiments. However, I did note the following quote in the first article you linked:
"Officials said that newspapers would be free to publish extracts from papal documents without charge once they were officially released, but only by “prior agreement”."
I'm guessing papers like the New York Times (and possibly mags like Newsweek as well) will work out such "prior agreements," so the Vatican won't be stifled completely. But I seriously think copyright on the Pope's words conflicts with the church's duty to spread the Word of God (not that I'm Catholic, but I do know that religion in general likes to propagate itself). You'd think they'd want it to be free.
Posted by: Paulina | January 25, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Does this include words of the Holy Bible spoken (quoted?) by the Pope?
Posted by: mark hutchinson | January 26, 2006 at 05:58 PM