Duncan Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 I am wondering how the Book of Mormon Musical is legal? Would the creators have to get the permission of the Church to do something like that? if so why would they give them permission?
Duncan Posted January 26, 2015 Author Posted January 26, 2015 Parodies are a form of free speech. so they can't sue them or anything?
sethpayne Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 I am wondering how the Book of Mormon Musical is legal? Would the creators have to get the permission of the Church to do something like that? if so why would they give them permission? Yep. No copyright on the text of the Book of Mormon or on the word "Mormon." IMO, the Church was brilliant to put offers for BOMs inside the LA playbills.
cinepro Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) I am wondering how the Book of Mormon Musical is legal? Would the creators have to get the permission of the Church to do something like that? if so why would they give them permission?What about it might not be legal? The text of the early Book of Mormon is public domain. As calmoriah points out, parodies enjoy a wide latitude under copyright laws. The music and lyrics are all original (as far as I know). The only thing that I can think of would be the missionary name tag. If the Church has trademarked these in some way, there might be something they could do (if the name tags used in the costumes have the Church logo). But I seriously doubt it. It probably isn't much different than a costume for a catholic priest. Edited January 26, 2015 by cinepro 2
Duncan Posted January 26, 2015 Author Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) What about it might not be legal? The text of the early Book of Mormon is public domain. As calmoriah points out, parodies enjoy a wide latitude under copyright laws. The music and lyrics are all original (as far as I know). The only thing that I can think of would be the missionary name tag. If the Church has trademarked these in some way, there might be something they could do (if the name tags used in the costumes have the Church logo). But I seriously doubt it. It probably isn't much different than a costume for a catholic priest. in the scriptures it says it's "copyright 1981" is why I asked! I didn't know about the parody angle before Edited January 26, 2015 by Duncan
Calm Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 It is that particular format that can't be reproduced without asking, not just straight text.
cinepro Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) in the scriptures it says it's "copyright 1981" is why I asked! I didn't know about the parody angle before Yes, when the Church made changes in the early 1980s, they copyrighted that version. But any version from before 1920 is in the public domain. Those are the ones you can find on free-text sites, and republished by non-LDS publishers. Also, all the additional study helps and notes in the LDS editions (chapter headings, footnotes, introduction, index, pictures etc.) are copyrighted. Edited January 26, 2015 by cinepro 1
thesometimesaint Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 In the US writers of all stripes and opinions are free to write pretty much whatever they want without official censure or fear of lawsuit. COULD a case be made for defamation? Not in the US as deliberate defamation is very hard to prove, and has already been said the copyrights to the BoM passed to the public long ago.
Robert F. Smith Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Yes, when the Church made changes in the early 1980s, they copyrighted that version. But any version from before 1920 is in the public domain. Those are the ones you can find on free-text sites, and republished by non-LDS publishers. Also, all the additional study helps and notes in the LDS editions (chapter headings, footnotes, introduction, index, pictures etc.) are copyrighted.One may also engage in "fair use" of portions of any copyrighted text, and that covers nearly any purpose: review articles, academic quotation, parody, etc. So one is not even restricted to the 1920 and earlier editions.
rockpond Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 Since I've been critical of some past responses by Church PR to various events, I wanted to just go on record as saying how brilliantly I think they've handled the Book of Mormon musical. Here's an article about it's arrival in SLC: http://fox13now.com/2015/04/20/book-of-mormon-tickets-on-sale-in-utah-heres-what-lds-church-is-saying/ The playbill ads and their "entertain audiences for an evening" vs. "change people's lives"... Good stuff. 3
HappyJackWagon Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 Duncan, have you seen it or listened to the music? There is much that is offensive to LDS specifically but it is more of a jab at religion in general, while still having a bit of a feel good message at the end. Essentially, no matter how crazy someone's beliefs are, they can find value in uniting with other and forming strong, sustaining communities. There is some really fun music but again, there's much to be offended by as well. I love the song I Believe. Frankly, even though there are some jokes in there, the song is flattering in some ways. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=book+of+mormon+musical+i+believe&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=6A99E16E5B38428560646A99E16E5B3842856064
Freedom Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 This musical has been a great source of free media for the church.
theplains Posted April 20, 2015 Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) Another question should be is how forthcoming the Manti Pageant is. The Institute for ReligiousResearch has down its own critique on the matter. The non-LDS piece is called "Manti Pageant Review: The Mormon Myth, Not the Mormon Miracle". Regards,Jim Edited April 20, 2015 by theplains
thesometimesaint Posted April 21, 2015 Posted April 21, 2015 Another question should be is how forthcoming the Manti Pageant is. The Institute for ReligiousResearch has down its own critique on the matter. The non-LDS piece is called "Manti Pageant Review: The Mormon Myth, Not the Mormon Miracle". Regards,Jim With enough of the IRC you'll never want for moonshine.
tonie Posted April 21, 2015 Posted April 21, 2015 Duncan, I am unaware of any Country that regards free speech as the United States does. What is prohibited speech in Canada or the UK is often protected speech in the United States.
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