Is the Big Book constantly updated or is it a kind of bible that remains the same
Kaleidoscope eyes
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Posts: 5,243
I loved reading many of the stories, but kind of thought perhaps the steps needed a bit of a revamp, but that's just me. However, even the Catholic Church has moved with the times somewhat.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ct.
Posts: 173
The truth is the truth is the truth. Just like the self help craze where every PhD was writing thier version of how to find your "true self." At the core of the book are Universal Spiritual principles (Truth) common to most all religions and or spiritual practices. You can tweak it or put your spin on it, or add a few stories to it, but the foundation or Truth remains. It works to get drunks sober too.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,369
Originally Posted by NoelleR 
Your info is correct, but perhaps misunderstood. When a copyright expires (like on the first 164 pages of th BB), they rae considered in the public domain. If one writes a new book (like the 3rd ed of the BB) that includes those 'public domain' pages, adds stories, etc., and then copyrights this new book, that copyright only covers the new add-on's and does not cover the 'public domain' pages; they're still free 'n clear in 'public domain.'
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NoelleR
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NoelleR
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...opyrights.html
D
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
Yes, Dee, I read Morning Glorry's post 6 years ago. The problem is it's incorrect. AA does NOT still have a copyright on the basic text info of the BB (first 164 pages),not on any of the first or second editions.The only editions under copyright now ae the third and fourth editions (excluding the first 164 pages, of course). Those pages ARE in the public domain. Other publishing/printing companies publish/print their own BB'swith no asking AAWS or GSO.......cause it's just not necessary.
Here's a link to check out............: Big Book copyright - AA FAQ
"...There has not been a valid US copyright on the main text of Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 40 years.
"...The 1986 General Service Conference Final Report explains the end of the book's US copyright this way:
The copyright on the first edition of the Big Book lapsed in 1967, and the copyright on the new material in the second edition lapsed in 1983-both because of a failure to renew them in a timely fashion. There was a mistaken belief that registering the copyright on the second edition in 1956 served to revive the copyright on the first edition; the misconception continued, with respect to the second edition, when the third edition was copyrighted in 1976..."
Here's a link to check out............: Big Book copyright - AA FAQ
"...There has not been a valid US copyright on the main text of Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 40 years.
"...The 1986 General Service Conference Final Report explains the end of the book's US copyright this way:
The copyright on the first edition of the Big Book lapsed in 1967, and the copyright on the new material in the second edition lapsed in 1983-both because of a failure to renew them in a timely fashion. There was a mistaken belief that registering the copyright on the second edition in 1956 served to revive the copyright on the first edition; the misconception continued, with respect to the second edition, when the third edition was copyrighted in 1976..."
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
don't need to; AAWS admits that they no longer hold the copyright on the first 164 pages of the BB; this is why you'll find other publishing/printing companies with their own copies of thos pages.....ie: anonpress (which also published a reproduction of the entire first edition....again no 'used by pemission')
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
Originally Posted by Dee74
Looks like you'll need to take that up with AAWS Noelle
D
D
"...The 1986 General Service Conference Final Report explains the end of the book's US copyright this way:
The copyright on the first edition of the Big Book lapsed in 1967, and the copyright on the new material in the second edition lapsed in 1983-both because of a failure to renew them in a timely fashion. There was a mistaken belief that registering the copyright on the second edition in 1956 served to revive the copyright on the first edition; the misconception continued, with respect to the second edition, when the third edition was copyrighted in 1976..."
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,369
Noelle - with all due respect? I simply do not care.
I'll keep applying the guidelines I've been told to until someone in charge tells me to stop.
if you feel strongly about this, it's something you need to take up other people, not with me - and not in this thread.
It's getting seriously hijacked.
(and please don't send me a PM either. I'm done.)
thanks
D
I'll keep applying the guidelines I've been told to until someone in charge tells me to stop.
if you feel strongly about this, it's something you need to take up other people, not with me - and not in this thread.
It's getting seriously hijacked.
(and please don't send me a PM either. I'm done.)
thanks
D
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
I don't care who owns the copyright, but I do care about misinformation.
Guess I'll stick with what AA itself has to say regarding the copyrights. Since AAWS is the publishing arm of the GSO (General Services Organisation), and they have said...................: "...The copyright on the first edition of the Big Book lapsed in 1967, and the copyright on the new material in the second edition lapsed in 1983-both because of a failure to renew them in a timely fashion. There was a mistaken belief that registering the copyright on the second edition in 1956 served to revive the copyright on the first edition; the misconception continued, with respect to the second edition, when the third edition was copyrighted in 1976..."
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NoelleR
Guess I'll stick with what AA itself has to say regarding the copyrights. Since AAWS is the publishing arm of the GSO (General Services Organisation), and they have said...................: "...The copyright on the first edition of the Big Book lapsed in 1967, and the copyright on the new material in the second edition lapsed in 1983-both because of a failure to renew them in a timely fashion. There was a mistaken belief that registering the copyright on the second edition in 1956 served to revive the copyright on the first edition; the misconception continued, with respect to the second edition, when the third edition was copyrighted in 1976..."
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NoelleR
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,960
it's still under copyright in other countries, just not in USA.....in Canada, it's under copyright until 2021......this site is international, as we all know......"AA World Services Inc. continues to claim ownership of the book in all non-US countries....It is settled law in The USA and Canada but apart from those nations it is too expensive to find out. AAWS has made it clear that they intend to hold onto their claims of ownership as long as possible." (anonpress.org).
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,126
Originally Posted by sugarbear1
...this site is international, as we all know...
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NoelleR
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