Copyright and permissions

Information on:

Good News Bible quotation rights
Good News Bible illustrations by Annie Vallotton
Bible Maps and additional materials (including CEV)
Contemporary English Version quotation rights
Bible illustrations by Horace Knowles/Louise Bass
Website(s), Word in Action, Prayer Bulletin and eNews
Other copyright queries

Good News Bible quotation rights

Free Use

You must use the text from the second edition of the Good News Bible. 

The Bible Societies are glad to grant authors and publishers the right to use up to one thousand (1,000) verses from the Good News Bible text in church, religious and other publications, without the need to seek and receive written permission. However, the extent of quotation must not comprise a complete book, nor should it amount to more than 50% of the work. 

Free Use/Commercial Use

The text should not be adapted in any way unless express written permission to do so is given by Bible Society. 

The following copyright notice must appear on the title or copyright page: 

‘Scriptures and additional materials quoted are from the Good News Bible © 1994 published by the Bible Societies/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd UK, Good News Bible© American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992. Used with permission.’

Commercial Use

Two copies of any publication quoting from GNB should be sent to the address below. 

When quotations from GNB are used in non-saleable media, such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, transparencies or similar media, a complete copyright notice is not required, but the initials GNB must appear at the end of each quotation. 

Requests for quotations in excess of one thousand (1,000) verses in any publication must be directed to and written approval received from Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon, SN5 7DG. 

Fee (to be negotiated).

Good News Bible illustrations by Annie Vallotton

The free quota which applies to GNB text does not cover the illustrations.

To obtain permission to use the Annie Vallotton illustrations please contact: tdionisio@americanbible.org

Bible maps and additional materials (including CEV)

Please contact Bible Society to obtain the necessary permission, if you wish to reproduce any of the following from the Good News Study Bible:

• Bible text
• Articles, introductions, word list and helps
• Maps
• Diagrams

Contemporary English Version quotation rights

Please also contact Bible Society to obtain the necessary permission for Contemporary English Version text and the additional materials contained in the Contemporary English Version.

Bible illustrations by Horace Knowles/Louise Bass

(Revised Standard Version Popular, Revised Standard Version Illustrated, New English Bible)
We are happy to grant non-exclusive permission for the use of the Knowles/Bass illustrations subject to the following conditions:

• It is essential that the appropriate copyright acknowledgement is given to ensure that both Horace Knowles and Louise Bass are properly credited for their contribution to this collection of Bible illustrations:
• For those pictures with HK preceding the number in the catalogue, the acknowledgement should read:
• Illustration(s) on page(s) x by Horace Knowles © The British and Foreign Bible Society 1954, 1967, 1972, 1995.
• For those pictures with BK preceding the number in the catalogue, the acknowledgement should read:
• Illustration(s) on page(s) x by Horace Knowles, revised by Louise Bass © The British and Foreign Bible Society 1994.
• For those pictures with LB preceding the number in the catalogue, the acknowledgement should read:
• Illustration(s) on page(s) x by Louise Bass © The British and Foreign Bible Society 1994.
• The Scriptures concerned are to be distributed on a non-profit making basis.
• A sample of each publication should be sent to the Bible Society and American Bible Society libraries at the addresses shown below: The Rights Administrator, Bible Society, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7DG and Rights Department, American Bible Society Library, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA.

The following limits on the number of pictures used apply:

• The publishers allow the equivalent of 35 full-page pictures for a New Testament.
• The maximum number of pictures allowed is 70. This includes maps unless they are located on the end papers of the book.
• Colour pictures are not included in the limit.

Pointers in using pictures

In sizing pictures please consider:

• A horizontally-shaped picture will fit nicely in a horizontally-shaped space. A vertically-shaped picture will fit nicely in a vertically-shaped space.
• A horizontal picture cannot fit into a vertical space without leaving unsightly space below and above the picture.
• A vertical picture can look fine in a horizontal or square space since the white space on either side of the picture blends in with the illustration.
• Pictures have movement: the directed motion of an illustration should go towards the centre of the book. For example, if a man is facing left it is recommended that his picture be on the right-hand page (which will be odd-numbered). If a picture of a colt is facing right it is advisable to place it on the left-hand page (which will be even-numbered), although this may not always be possible.

If the usage you are proposing falls outside these parameters, or if you need further information or assistance, please contact Bible Society by emailing permissions@biblesociety.org.uk or telephone 01793 418222 (please allow 1 week for a response, and 2-6 weeks for an answer to any query).

Website(s), Word in Action, Prayer Bulletin and eNews

You can use any of the material contained in Word in Action and Prayer Bulletin, from our website (www.biblesociety.org.uk) or from Bible Society eNews, as long as you use it in the context of promoting Bible Society’s work and you credit Bible Society as the source.

Other copyright queries

For copyright queries relating to any of the items below, please email permissions@biblesociety.org.uk or telephone 01793 418222 (please allow 1 week for a response, and 2-6 weeks for an answer to any query):

• The Bible in TransMission
• Annual report/accounts
• Other Bible Translations – RSV, AV, etc.
• Faith Comes By Hearing
• Bible Society mailings
• Videos  
• Resource Bank
• Ten Minute Miracle Plays
• Toolkit
• Entertaining Angels
• Reel Issues
• Bible Sunday materials
• For The Miracle Maker film please visit www.filmbank.co.uk
• Open the Book