Licensing Information

The Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible translation has copyrights managed by American Bible Society.

Summary of Fair Use Policy (All conditions must apply):

• No more than 500 verses in total may be reproduced without permission
• Scripture/Verses may not make up more than 25% of the new work
• Verses quoted do not amount to 50% of a complete book of the Bible
• All Scripture must be properly cited with the appropriate copyright notice (see below)
• The book or product must be available for non-commercial use.

When Permission is NOT required – Bible Text – Fair Use Policy:

Text from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio) up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without written permission, providing the verses quoted do not amount to 50% of a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted and the work is available for non-commercial use. This permission is contingent upon an appropriate copyright acknowledgment – (see below).

Formal written permission is not needed for churches requesting to use a small selection of material for church bulletins, sermons or classroom use that falls within our Fair Use Policy. Churches may also use stand-alone quotations/scripture in: sermons, bulletins, newsletters, or to be shown on a screen (PowerPoint or overhead projector) without requesting permission, provided the source is accurately cited with the appropriate copyright notice (see below).

When Permission IS required – Works not covered by Fair Use Policy:

American Bible Society requires permission if you are writing a book or developing a product that uses Bible Scripture/Verses beyond the scope of the Fair Use Policy or if your project is for commercial use.

Please complete the Permission Request Form and email to: [email protected]

• Reproduction of any scripture where the verse stands alone such as: artwork, jewelry, gift product, etc. is not permitted without requesting formal permission (permission fees or royalties may apply).
• Scripture that does not include appropriate copyright notice (see below).
• Use of charts, maps, illustrations, photographs, or cover images is not permitted without requesting formal permission (permission fees or royalties may apply).
• Mobile Phone Applications, other New Media Platforms (websites, etc.) or Gift Products. Written permission is required.
• Books or other products which are produced for sale. Written permission is required.

Read some Frequently Asked Questions here

Bible Text Copyright Notices:

Contemporary English Version:
Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

American Bible Society also manages the following artwork and Bible resources:

Artwork:

Scholarly Editions:

• Greek/English Lexicon of the New Testament, Louw & Nida
• Translator’s Handbooks: 35 volumes, 47 books
• Synopsis of the Four Gospels
• Bible and New Testament Index
• KJV Concordance

ABS Video Translations (in Contemporary Setting):

• Out of the Tombs
• Father and Two Sons
• The Visit
• Resurrection
• Nativity
• The Neighbor

Bible Atlas/Bible Maps:

• Geographical, Holy Land maps with photos and annotations
• CEV and Good News Bible Maps (Old Testament and New Testament)

Audio/Spoken Word Scripture:

• La Palabra Eterna, Reina-Valera 1960 New Testament recording by ABS

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Rights & Permissions Guidelines
American Bible Society
[email protected]

1. Policy for use of the Contemporary English Version (CEV):

1. General Statement.
   The CEV text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio) up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without written permission, providing the verses quoted do not amount to 50% of a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. This permission is contingent upon an appropriate copyright acknowledgment (see below).
2. Use of the CEV beyond above limits requires written permission.
   1. Commercial Use: Commercial use means use in any product offered for sale, lease, rental or barter on any level. Rights and permissions requests for the CEV in media intended for commercial use should be emailed to [email protected]. Request shall contain the following information: (1) exact portions to be quoted, (2) the medium in which those portions will be quoted, (3) estimated percentage of the total text of the work made up of the CEV text, (4) any additional material to be included in the work, such as additional text, illustrations, photos, etc., (5) the purpose, number of copies or reproductions, and distribution of the use in which the CEV is quoted, and (6) the sale or lease price of the work, or other income to be received. For commercial use outside of North America , please send your requests as detailed above to the American Bible Society. If the CEV is used as the lyrics for a song, you must obtain permission prior to production of the same.
   2. Non-Commercial use (Ministry, Church, educational, etc.): Non-commercial use is any use other than commercial use as defined above and generally means free provision of the medium in which the CEV is quoted. Most usages by local churches would fall into this category. Rights and Permissions requests for the CEV in media intended for non-commercial use should be emailed to [email protected] and the request should contain the above requested information. If the CEV text is used as the lyrics for a song, you must obtain permission from the American Bible Society prior to the production of the same.

2. Acknowledgment and copyright notice

Any quotation from the CEV text must include copyright notice and acknowledgement. The form the acknowledgment takes will depend, in part, upon the medium in which the quotation is used.

1. Written use: Use whichever of the following notices is most appropriate:
   1. The following notice for the CEV may be used on each page where material quoted from the CEV appears:Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
   2. When the CEV is identified at the end of each Scripture quotation from the CEV, the following notice may be used on the title page or verse thereof of each copy:Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
   3. If appropriate, the following notice may be used on the title page or verso thereof of each copy:All scripture quotations in this publication are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
2. Visual and electronic use: “Visual” use includes videos, films, slides and overhead transparencies. “Electronic” use denotes the use of an interactive computer. Quotations from the CEV text in visual and electronic media must include the appropriate copyright notice from section II-A on (1) the product (medium itself), and (2) the product’s wrapper or packing, and (3) in an acknowledgment section, if one exists.
3. Audio Use: This category includes cassettes, compact discs, and similar media. Quotations from the CEV in audio form must include the appropriate copyright notice from section on (1) the product (the medium itself), and (2) the product’s wrapper or packaging. If the CEV is used as the lyrics for song, you must obtain permission from the American Bible Society prior to production of the same.
4. Church use: Any use of the CEV by a local church in or on non-commercial media such as bulletins, orders of service, bulletin boards, posters, overhead transparencies, recordings of worship services (for which a small fee may be charged), or similar materials used in the course of religious instruction or services at a place of worship or other religious assembly requires the following notice at the end of each quotation: (CEV) may include (CEV) acknowledgement of label only. Contacting ABS for permission noted herein is not required.

3. Additional Information about CEV rights and Permissions

For rights and permissions not expressly granted or referred to in this document, or for an explanation of any provision of this document, please send an email to [email protected].

Persons requesting rights and permissions not expressly granted in this document should contact: Licensing Department at [email protected].

Since its beginnings in 1816, the purpose of the American Bible Society has been to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. This purpose, undertaken without profit, is a cause which all Christians and all churches are urged to support.

For more information about the ministries of the American Bible Society or if you wish to receive our free catalogue of Scriptures Resources, please write to the address provided above or call 800 32-BIBLE (or 800-322-4253).