Copyright infringement question

Using ancient text in modern book

[RedTailHawk]

I am currently writing a fictional novel and found a wonderful prayer in a Jewish Sabbath/Prayer/Festival book that would be a perfect "introduction" to the storyline...is it considered copyright infringement to use it in my story?

[hunderdown]

This is a translation, right? Then the question becomes, when was the translation done? In the US, if it's before 1925, you're in the clear.

[RedTailHawk]

Thank you for your response...to the best of my knowledge it is an English translation from ancient Hebrew text...I am, to be on the safe side, going to contact a local temple to make sure.

[BigDave]

As hunderdown suggested, the important date is the date the translation to english happened.

For example, with translations of the bible, the King James Version, published several hundred years ago is out of copyright. The New Revised Standard Version, published in 1989 is not out of copyright.

Even if the translation for the prayer book that you have is not out of copyright, there very well could be a version that is.

Or just simply contact the publisher and ask for permission.

[RedTailHawk]

Contacting the publisher sounds far safer.

[Syzygy]

To quote/reproduce verses of the 1989 translation of the Bible - is illegal/subject to laws?

Can you clarify...?

Syzygy

[aeclark]

I don't think we can post a direct link here, but you can do a googlesearch for: "New Revised Standard Version" "permissions policy"
The first result is for the site of the National Council of Churches, who were responsible for this translation. They seem to allow the use of up to five hundred verses, without permission, so long as they are acknowledged in the format they specify. For everything else they appear to require you seek permission.