Copywritten so, don't copy me~

[Madonna]

Apparently, the Holy See has seen it fit to make Pope Benedict XVI's both written and spoken words copyrighted. Well, not really. That goes for any Pope, ever, and that includes anything they said when they weren't Popes as well.

At least, that's what I've been [hearing].

A quote for good measure:

Publishers will have to negotiate a levy of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of the cover price of any book or publication "containing the Pope's words". Those who infringe the copyright face legal action and a higher levy of 15 per cent.

The Union of Italian Catholic Publishers and Booksellers said that it had not been consulted, and that the edict "flies in the face of what we do -- spreading the Pope's message to the world".

A Vatican spokesman said that the Holy See had to defend itself against "pirated editions". The move is also aimed at "premature publication". Journalists accredited to the Vatican are handed papal texts under embargo. The Vatican said that if embargos were broken in future not only would the journalist face sanctions but also his or her publication would face legal action.

Discuss.

[boris no no]

Wow, he certainly get around
soon we'll not be able to quote anything

HOLY CRABS BATMAN *killed*

[Rye]

That's odd. I like your sig. It's mesmerizing. xD

[~SapphireStar~]

The man doesnt stop. He'll be fully banning Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code next.

[escobert]

crazyness!

[Skarr]

He's the freaking Pope. Who the hell cares if he copyrights in the UK ( :sweatdrop: ). Let him come over to the western side of the world and do that.

[XxSephirothxX]

I think "Stupid." about covers it.

[Mitch]

Anyone with a mobile named after them (Popemobile, Batmobile, Mitchtoaster, Kikimmmobile) should be able to do whatever they feel like.

[Rengori]

He's the freaking Pope.

[Xaven]

Well, this is intersting. Pope getting mad because people are quoting his copywrited words?

I think "Stupid." about covers it.

[Raistlin]

The fact that they can actually argue that the Pope's words are legal copywrited amuses me to no end. His words are no more his property than anyone else's.

[Psychotic]

So they're copyrighting everything he says? So if he ever uses the word "I", suddenly nobody else is allowed to use it without breaching copyright infringement?

In the past I've doubted the wisdom of the Christian authorities. They sure showed me a thing or two!

[Dignified Pauper]

this is absolutely rediculous. Public speeches can't be copywritten. I would like to know the source for such information

Edit: Googled and nothing came up.

[-N-]

They just want to get in the Guinness Book of Records for highest per capita income.

Go to hell, Lichtenstein!

[DMKA]

This is the cutest thing since Microsoft patented double-clicking.