6 replies to this topic

[biblstdnt]

"The Epistle to the Hebrews: Christ All Excelling", by W. E. Vine.

Vine's book on Hebrews is probably in public domain, though I have not found it yet.

Biblstdnt

[Josh Bond]

Someone said that they once heard that Vines is under copyright because of NAFTA, the North Amercian Free Trade Agreement, passed in 1994.

For that to be true, the work must have been 1) first published outside the United States and 2) still under copyright in the source country at the time NAFTA was passed in 1994. There's lots of false copyright claims in the Christian publishing industry. I've always wanted see that proven for each and every one of Vine's works. (I have not researched this particular one, however).

[DoctorDaveT]

Hi, Josh,

Phil Stoner - the man who runs eStudySource.com - is the one who told me that all of Vine's works had been re-copyrighted under provisions of NAFTA. The reason that he knew this is because he handled the process for the family.

I had built a commentary on Isaiah by Vine and posted it at www.DoctorDaveT.com. When he told me about his involvement with the family and the re-copyright of his works, I took it down.

I wrote about that experience here - doctordavet.freeforums.org.

[Josh Bond]

I believe you, brother. When I started researching this issue some time ago, your blog was where I started, but its basically just a claim of proof, not actual proof. I've just never been able to substantiate any claim that all of VIne's works are under copyright via NAFTA.

Given the complete lack of enforcement of Vine's works on reputable websites (which openly claim there is no copyright on Vines--a nightmare for a copyright holder), I'm wondering if anyone can prove the copyright under NAFTA for each and everyone of Vine's works.

The lack of enforcement is interesting, my own research into this is interesting (but not conclusive), hence my statement here about proving it.

[DSaw]

I have found in my research that there several editions of "The Epistle to the Hebrews: Christ All Excelling", by W. E. Vine. published acording to worldcat the 1st being by Zondervan 1952 USA then later editions by

Oliphants London 1953 and on

according to NAFTA the Zondervan edition would not be under NAFTA

would I be correct

any copyright lawyers out there

http://www.worldcat....itionsView=true

Edited by DSaw, 06 April 2012 - 11:24 AM.

[Josh Bond]

Interesting, isn't it?

For NAFTA to apply, it must have first been published outside the USA and then it must still been under copyright in its source country. Is that search above definitive? Maybe not. The burden is on the person making the copyright claim.

Claims are one thing. Proof is another. I've seen that so many times in the Christian publishing industry. I've already had a few rounds with people making (what turned out to be) bad faith copyright claims. Claims made without absolute proof are in bad faith and it's silliness. I'm not saying that's the case here. I am saying to "question the answers", as my friend Brent always tells me.

[DSaw]

It very embarrassing to here the word Christian used to describe an entity that is acting opposed of what the word Christian stands for