King James Version of the Bible

:This page is about the version of the Bible; for the Harvey Danger album, see King James Version (album).

Copyright status

In Great Britain, the AV is subject to a perpetual Crown Copyright held by the British government. This is because the printing of the KJV was originally covered by Letters Patent which means that to this day it comes under the Crown prerogative section of copyright law in the United Kingdom. It was protected by this means due to its status there as an official document of the established Church of England. The British government licenses all printings of the text in Great Britain, typically by designating one printer as the authorised publisher; other printers must obtain a sublicence from that one.

Related Topics:
Great Britain - Crown Copyright - Letters Patent - Crown prerogative - Established - Church of England

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The universities of Oxford and Cambridge also possess the right to print editions of the Bible, and many English printings are issued or licensed by the university presses. Annotated study Bibles escape the monopoly by being labelled as "Bible commentaries", and can also use the text.

Related Topics:
Oxford - Cambridge - Study Bible

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The Letters Patent apply in Scotland, where the Scottish Bible Board licenses all uses of the AV text. In Wales, all uses of the KJV text are licensed though Cambridge. Elsewhere in the world, the text of the King James Version has long since become a part of the public domain.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Scottish Bible Board - Wales - Public domain

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publishes an approved edition of the Authorised Version in English that includes cross references to the Book of Mormon and other LDS scripture.

Related Topics:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Book of Mormon

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