This issue is very granular, but very important for anyone who claims spiritual leadership and publishes content.
In plain language, intellectual property is ownership of an idea.
There are different types of ownership:
- Copyright is ownership of a created work and gives the right to copy and distribute it.
- Trademarks are ownership of a symbolic representation.
- Patents are ownership of newly invented things.
- Trade secrets are owning specific, trade-specific techniques.
These rights, however, exist because they’re inherently built around competition against others.
- Without copyright, others could profit from a created work.
- No trademark enforcement means others could plagiarize and mislead people about an entity’s association with a product.
- Patents could otherwise be reproducible by others.
- Trade secrets would otherwise ruin a competitive advantage in a market.
In general, Christians most certainly have the right to profit from their work, and that includes the concept of an idea (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
- Creators, such as writers and designers, make their living by selling their work, and distributing it freely could harm their ability to make a living.
However, there is one clear exception to this rule, and that comes through intellectual property that has spiritual benefit.
- Paul’s attitude was that the Gospel is preached, irrespective of who or how (Philippians 1:15-18).
- A Christian leader should live by example (i.e., do everything through love), and that includes how they express ideas (1 Corinthians 16:14).
In light of that, the expression of Christian ideas toward the rest of the world should be as free as possible:
- Most importantly, any Bible translation, Bible commentary, Bible dictionary, concordance, or other reference material designed for Bible study.
- Spiritual teaching which covers any spiritual topic.
- Deep philosophical and theological ideas that could more effectively guide the Body.
- Any aspects of self-help, such as Dave Ramsey’s financial management course or Love and Logic parenting.
- Practical wisdom that could generally help people in specific circumstances.
Unfortunately, copyright law in the United States has been irrevocably damaged by constant extensions.
- In the 19th century, copyright law lasted the same as a patent: 20 years.
- Now, at the earliest, copyright law in the West extends 50-70 years out from its original publication date.
- In practice, that means a pastor’s grandchildren could sue for copyright infringement in 2060 over a book written in 1993.
At the same time, a worker is worth their wages (Luke 10:7).
To that end, every Christian creator should acquaint themselves with Creative Commons.
- If their motivation is to spread a message, every believer should want their work to be shared freely with others, and preferably non-commercially.
- Attribution shouldn’t be a significant priority, unless the purpose of the work is to have followup conversations about individuals’ needs.
- Forbidding derivative works may be wise, especially if you’re worried about heretical permutations (e.g., a Bible translation).
Christians can often be more restrictive with their intellectual property than the rest of the world.
- Most scientific publications are creative commons.
- Most software developers create at least some of their code as open-source, meaning others are freely able to use their code without restraint.
- Many secular influencers intentionally give away copies of their books for free.
By contrast, many books used for Bible studies in a church context are sold full-price, without any opportunity for a discounted means for the poorer congregants.
- Some so-called Christian organizations have been known to rigorously enforce their copyright, to the point of civil lawsuits, which includes lawfare against copious use of Bible translations.