It can be said that the copyright issue within the Christian community in China has for a long time been in a gray area. For various reasons, pirated books and other copyrighted audio-visual products are very popular among them. Also, because the church circle is relatively small and closed, although many people know that certain materials are pirated, they do not show much concern and turn a blind eye to it.
Brother Tim, a minister in a northern church, has studied thoroughly copyright issues in the Chinese Christian community. In his view, the most important solution is to enhance the copyright awareness of Christians.
A decade-long project ruined by piracy
A group once planned a set of books on Bible commentary, the content of which was good. However, just as the colleagues were hoping high for the future, the reality gave them a blow. They found that someone had “published” this same set of exegesis first. To be precise, the series had already been printed before them. The reason was that the other party, who did not have any copyright, got from the group the content of the series in traditional Chinese characters and simply converted them into simplified Chinese and printed them out.
An operation as such was draw-dropping to the ministry institution. The team toiled for more than a decade, including efforts in translating, planning, and communicating. Eventually, as they were about to complete the last step, their fruit was stolen. The person in charge of the institution was furious and finally got in touch with the other party. However, what was so unexpected was the verbal reply from the other party that made the leader dumbfounded: By doing so, we gave many people a chance to read this set of books. The other party was giving all kinds of reasons for piracy but never mentioned a word about copyright.
Apart from pirating merchants, quite a few people in the Christian community have such a supportive attitude towards piracy. Many of them know that piracy is wrong, but they still support it. Why? They think that through piracy, many Christians can get materials that were not accessible before. The usual excuses are: “Almost no one could see them before, but now almost everyone can, provided it is pirated. So what is wrong with piracy?” or “How can the word of God reach us if it is not in this way?” Many people will say similar words. It seems that illegal things can be done if it is in the name of faith. If they are accused of piracy, they will first argue and defend their deeds, and in the end, they will often say that they have worked so hard, but the people who do nothing accuse their work.
Watch out! Most Christians may be on the side of piracy
Brother Tim said that, in fact, for the vast majority of ordinary Christians, it is easy to stand by piracy. Because most of them are potential or actual beneficiaries of piracy. Many Christians buy Christian books or other types of copyrighted products such as audio-visuals, and some of these products are inevitably pirated ones by third parties. Among the vast majority, some of them have bought pirated products for various reasons. Even if some Christians have not buy pirated products so far, it does not mean that they will not buy them in the future. To some extent, human nature is selfish. Then, many Christians will raise the issue of whether piracy is right or wrong to an issue of stance.
Brother Tim has been in a second-hand book exchange chat group for a period of time. He found that many books in the group are pirated. He expressed his views on pirated books to the group members and clearly pointed out that it was wrong to buy them. Unexpectedly, many in the group reacted fiercely and thought that there was nothing wrong with buying pirated books. “If there are copyrighted books to sell, then why should we buy pirated ones?” Brother Tim pointed out that many copyrighted books can be purchased. If you cannot buy printed books, you can buy electronic versions. Many books have copyrighted electronic versions. However, many of them reacted more intensely: “Why is the price so high?” or “Reading e-books is not good for your eyes. If you want to protect your eyes, you still have to read printed books.”
The price of some copyrighted Christian books is indeed relatively high. However, there is a practical reason. The first is that copyrighted books have to go through more procedures, meaning more cost. Secondly, Christianity in China is relatively unpopular and niche, which leads to low sales and high costs. No one will like high prices. Yet, there is a reason for it, and we need to understand it.
Piracy means stealing
Brother Tim thinks that the issue of pirated and other copyrighted materials is by nature theological; that is, the essence of piracy is stealing. “It’s like I want one million Yuan, which I don’t have, so can’t I steal it? Piracy is the same as this. You can’t say because I don’t have it, so I’ll rob or steal it, everything belongs to God anyway. However, please wake up to the fact that you are not God at all, okay? God didn’t give you that much.”
For some Christians, it seems that everything can be done as long as it is in the name of faith and God, and Brother Tim thinks it is wrong. “This is a cognitive problem. It seems quite reasonable to pirate in the name of faith, but in fact, this understanding is self-centered. In other words, it depends on the needs of ‘I’. Because my needs are not met, so I can meet my needs by pirating or buying pirated books.” Therefore, Brother Tim thinks that supporting piracy and thinking that piracy is justified is wrong. It is a confusing mindset. “But in reality, not to mention ordinary Christians, even many pastors and preachers don’t have a clear understanding of this problem. When they encounter piracy issues, they only turn a blind eye.”
Pirated books are not advisable, is it ok to listen to pirated audio?
The answer is no.
Copyright is also termed “intellectual property." It refers to the rights enjoyed by the author or others (including legal persons) on certain works according to law. This includes the use of works in the form of publication, reproduction, broadcasting, performance, exhibition, film, translation, or adaptation through legal channels. Anyone without copyright or authorization has no right to use the works in the above forms or as such. Changing a book from text to audio is illegal or suspected of piracy. It is also illegal to listen to the audio of a book without copyright or authorization.
Another brother who is familiar with Brother Tim once sent an audio link to a reading group. After opening the link, Brother Tim found that the audio was delivered as part of a book. They were recommending this good book recently. That brother said that it was much more convenient for everyone to listen than to read. Afterward, Brother Tim told him that although the idea was out of love, such an approach might involve infringement, so he could not do it because the copyright owner did not authorize him. After learning that, the brother might not do it again in the future. Many people are engaged in piracy largely because they do not even know that downloading free e-books and listening to audiobooks on the Internet are all piracy.
Christians’ copyright awareness needs to be improved urgently
The brother in the above case was originally out of kindness, and his church was recommending the book. He accidentally found that the content was made into audio. What he did not know was that although it was not him who made the audio, and he only forwarded the link of the audio, he had infringed the copyright of others by both forwarding the link and listening to the audio. Had Brother Tim not explained it, he would not have known so.
There are also Christians who regard books as treasures. After buying or getting them through other channels, they scan them to make e-books in PDF format and forward them everywhere. They think that in this way, others do not need to buy anymore, that they are acting in love, and that God will be pleased with this practice.
In terms of copyright awareness, many Christians are not even as good as that of many non-believers. In comparison, many non-believers have more social experiences and wider contacts, knowing that copyright should be respected and piracy is a proper illegal act. However, the Christian community’s awareness of copyright is very low or even completely absent, and after making mistakes, they will defend and excuse themselves in the name of faith. However, God never takes the initiative to use human mistakes and sins to achieve God’s will.
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” (The Book of Proverbs 29:18) Here, revelation refers more to the meaning of law. As the saying goes, nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. Brother Tim thinks that the copyright awareness of Christians in China needs to be improved urgently, and the church and pastors are duty-bound to do so. Teaching believers to have such awareness and respect for copyright is a kind of herding. Pasturing is more than things about the soul and spirituality. How to make believers live correctly in this world is also a very important and urgent part of pastoral care.
(Originally published by the Christian Times, the article has been edited under permission.)
- Translated by Charlie Li
中国教会与基督徒群体当中存在的版权问题可以说长期以来一直处于某种灰色地带。一方面，因为种种原因，盗版书籍和其他有版权的音像制品在中国基督徒群体中大肆流行；另外一方面，由于教会圈子相对来说比较小和封闭，导致虽然很多人明知道是盗版的，但是却不闻不问、当作不知道这回事。
针对这种盗版乱象，北方一个事工的负责人Tim弟兄因为工作的缘故，对中国基督教领域版权问题了解颇多。他认为，最重要的解决之道就是提升中国基督徒群体的版权意识。
遇到盗版，十年白干
Tim弟兄曾经遇到过这样的一件事情。某个事工机构曾经策划了一套解经丛书，内容是相当不错的。可是，就在这个机构的同工们畅想美好的未来的时候，现实却给了他们当头一棒。他们发现，已经有人捷足先登“出版”了这套解经书，准确来说，是印刷了这套丛书。之所以这么说，是因为对方根本就没有任何版权，而是从他们事工得到丛书的繁体内容，然后就直接转成简体印刷了。
这么一通操作下来，这个事工机构直接傻眼了。本来辛苦预备了十多年的时间，包括翻译、策划、沟通等，眼看着终于等到最后一步了，结果直接被人摘了桃子。机构负责人非常气愤，好不容易联系上了对方，对方的回复更是让他目瞪口呆——我们这么做是给了很多人机会，让他们能够读到这套书。对方一直在解释自己盗版的理由，却对版权问题一个字也不提。
不只是盗版商家，在基督徒群体里面，带着这样支持盗版态度的人也相当多。其实很多人是知道盗版的行为是不对的，但是他们却依然支持盗版。他们支持盗版的理由在于，他们觉得通过盗版的方式得以让很多基督徒看到本来看不到的东西。“以前几乎所有人都看不到，现在盗版了大家都能够看到，所以盗版有什么错？”“上帝的话语如果不通过这种方式，怎么能传到我们手里呢？”很多人都这么说，似乎用信仰的名义、打着信仰的旗号就可以做违法的事情了。如果有人说他盗版，他首先会解释一通，为自己的所作所为辩护，然后最后往往还会说自己都这么辛苦了还有人什么也不干就知道给做事情的人定罪。
小心！绝大多数基督徒可能都会站在支持盗版那一边
Tim弟兄说，其实对于绝大多数普通基督徒来说，很容易倾向于站在支持盗版那一边。之所以这么说，是因为绝大多数普通基督徒都是盗版行为的潜在或者现实利益相关方。很多基督徒都会购买一些基督教方面的书籍或者其他类型的有版权制品比如音像制品等，而在这些制品当中，难免就会有一些是第三方盗版的。对于绝大多数普通基督徒来说，有的人已经因为种种原因购买过盗版产品，就算截止到现在没有买过也不代表将来就不会购买。从某种程度上来说，人性都是自私的。那么，很多基督徒就会把盗版问题从本来的对错问题上升为立场问题。
Tim弟兄曾经在一个二手书交流群里面待过一段时间。他发现群里的很多书一眼就能判断属于盗版书。他在群里发表了他对于盗版书籍的看法，明确指出购买盗版书籍这种行为是不对的。没想到的是，群里面很多人反映非常激烈，认为购买盗版书没有错。“如果有正版书卖，那我们干嘛要买盗版？”Tim弟兄指出很多正版书籍其实都能找到购买渠道，如果实在买不到实体书，也可以购买电子书，很多书其实都是有正版的电子书的，这些电子书都是有版权的。很多人的反映变得更加激烈了：“（正版书）怎么价格这么贵？”“看电子书对眼睛不好，想要护眼还是要看实体书。”
一些基督教领域的正版书籍价格确实比较高。但是其实这么高的价格是有原因的：第一个原因是正版书籍所要经历的环节、手续比较多，意味着花的钱也会比较多；第二在中国基督教这个领域原本就比较冷门和小众，导致销量不高，而低销量必然导致高成本。因此，书籍价格高这个相信没有人会喜欢，但是实属事出有因，对此我们需要理解。
盗版=偷窃
Tim弟兄认为盗版书籍和其他有版权产品的问题，说白了是个神学问题，就是盗版的本质就是偷窃。“就相当于我想要100万，但是我没有，所以我能不能去偷一样。盗版和这个一个道理。你不能说我没有那我就去抢了，就去偷了，反正所有东西都是上帝的。但是拜托，你根本不是上帝好不好？上帝没给你那么多。”
对有些基督徒来说，似乎只要打了信仰和上帝的名号就什么事情都可以做了，但是，Tim弟兄认为这是不对的。“这是一种认知的问题，打着信仰的名义就可以盗版了，看似挺合情合理，但是其实这种说法是以人为中心的，就是看‘我’的需要，我的需要没有被满足，那就通过盗版或者购买盗版书籍来满足我的需要。”所以Tim弟兄认为支持盗版、认为盗版有理是一种很奇怪的错误思维，就是思维混乱。“但是现实是别说普通基督徒了，就连很多牧师、传道人都搞不清楚这个问题。因为不懂，所以在遇见盗版问题的时候，只能听而不闻、视而不见。”
不买盗版书，那么听音频总可以吧？
这个问题的答案是不可以。
版权，又被称为“著作权”。指作者或其他人（包括法人）依法对某一著作物享受的权利。其中包括通过合法途径，以出版、复制、播放、表演、展览、摄制片、翻译或改编等形式使用作品。任何没有版权或者没有得到授权的人都没有权力以出版、复制、播放、表演、展览、摄制片、翻译或改编等形式使用作品。而把一本书从文字变成音频，这样的做法本身就已经不合法或者说已经涉嫌盗版了。而在没有版权或者没有得到授权的情况下听一本书的音频，这样的做法也是不合法合规的。
Tim弟兄熟识的另外一个弟兄有一次发到读书群里一个音频链接，打开这个链接以后Tim弟兄发现这个音频运来是一本书中的部分内容。他们最近在推这本不错的书，后面这个弟兄说大家可以听听什么的，比看书方便多了。然后Tim弟兄就跟他讲，这个想法是是出于爱心，但这样的做法可能会涉及侵权，所以不能这么做，因为人家著作权所有人没有给你授权。但是，跟他讲了以后，他就知道了，以后他可能就不会再做这样的事情了。很多人都在进行盗版行为，很大程度上原因在于他们甚至都不知道原来网络上下载免费的电子书、听书籍音频等这些方式都是盗版。
基督徒群体的版权意识亟需提升
在上面这个案例的这名弟兄，本来是好心，教会在推这本书，偶然间发现这本书的内容被做成了音频。他却根本不知道虽然音频不是他制作的，他只是转发了一下音频的网络链接，但是实际上无论是转发链接还是听音频都已经侵犯了别人的版权。如果不是Tim弟兄说明的话，他还根本不知道这些做法已经侵犯了别人的版权了。
还有一些基督徒买了书或者通过其他途径得到一本书以后视若珍宝，专门把书一张一张的扫描下来然后做成PDF格式的电子书，然后还到处转发。他们觉得这样的话别人就可以不用再买书了，还以为自己是在爱心行事，认为上帝一定会喜悦这样的做法。
在版权意识这个方面，诚实地说很多基督徒的素质甚至还不如很多社会上的人。很多社会上的人往往社会阅历更加丰富，接触面比较广，知道要尊重版权，并且盗版是妥妥的违法行为。可是，基督徒群体在版权方面的意识就非常薄弱乃至于完全没有，而且在犯错之后，会用信仰的名义为自己辩解和开脱。但是，上帝却从来都不会主动用人的错误和罪恶来成就上帝的旨意。
"没有异象，民就放肆，惟遵守律法的，便为有福。"——在这里，异象更多指的是律法的意思。俗话也说，没有规矩不成方圆。Tim弟兄认为，中国基督徒群体的版权意识亟需提升，在这其中，教会和牧者义不容辞。教导信徒具备版权意识，尊重版权，其实这也是一种牧养。牧养绝对不止是灵魂、灵性的一些东西，怎么让信徒在这个世界上正确的生活也是牧养当中非常重要而又急迫的一部分。
北方一事工负责人：中国基督教领域版权问题严重 基督徒群体的版权意识亟需提升
It can be said that the copyright issue within the Christian community in China has for a long time been in a gray area. For various reasons, pirated books and other copyrighted audio-visual products are very popular among them. Also, because the church circle is relatively small and closed, although many people know that certain materials are pirated, they do not show much concern and turn a blind eye to it.
Brother Tim, a minister in a northern church, has studied thoroughly copyright issues in the Chinese Christian community. In his view, the most important solution is to enhance the copyright awareness of Christians.
A decade-long project ruined by piracy
A group once planned a set of books on Bible commentary, the content of which was good. However, just as the colleagues were hoping high for the future, the reality gave them a blow. They found that someone had “published” this same set of exegesis first. To be precise, the series had already been printed before them. The reason was that the other party, who did not have any copyright, got from the group the content of the series in traditional Chinese characters and simply converted them into simplified Chinese and printed them out.
An operation as such was draw-dropping to the ministry institution. The team toiled for more than a decade, including efforts in translating, planning, and communicating. Eventually, as they were about to complete the last step, their fruit was stolen. The person in charge of the institution was furious and finally got in touch with the other party. However, what was so unexpected was the verbal reply from the other party that made the leader dumbfounded: By doing so, we gave many people a chance to read this set of books. The other party was giving all kinds of reasons for piracy but never mentioned a word about copyright.
Apart from pirating merchants, quite a few people in the Christian community have such a supportive attitude towards piracy. Many of them know that piracy is wrong, but they still support it. Why? They think that through piracy, many Christians can get materials that were not accessible before. The usual excuses are: “Almost no one could see them before, but now almost everyone can, provided it is pirated. So what is wrong with piracy?” or “How can the word of God reach us if it is not in this way?” Many people will say similar words. It seems that illegal things can be done if it is in the name of faith. If they are accused of piracy, they will first argue and defend their deeds, and in the end, they will often say that they have worked so hard, but the people who do nothing accuse their work.
Watch out! Most Christians may be on the side of piracy
Brother Tim said that, in fact, for the vast majority of ordinary Christians, it is easy to stand by piracy. Because most of them are potential or actual beneficiaries of piracy. Many Christians buy Christian books or other types of copyrighted products such as audio-visuals, and some of these products are inevitably pirated ones by third parties. Among the vast majority, some of them have bought pirated products for various reasons. Even if some Christians have not buy pirated products so far, it does not mean that they will not buy them in the future. To some extent, human nature is selfish. Then, many Christians will raise the issue of whether piracy is right or wrong to an issue of stance.
Brother Tim has been in a second-hand book exchange chat group for a period of time. He found that many books in the group are pirated. He expressed his views on pirated books to the group members and clearly pointed out that it was wrong to buy them. Unexpectedly, many in the group reacted fiercely and thought that there was nothing wrong with buying pirated books. “If there are copyrighted books to sell, then why should we buy pirated ones?” Brother Tim pointed out that many copyrighted books can be purchased. If you cannot buy printed books, you can buy electronic versions. Many books have copyrighted electronic versions. However, many of them reacted more intensely: “Why is the price so high?” or “Reading e-books is not good for your eyes. If you want to protect your eyes, you still have to read printed books.”
The price of some copyrighted Christian books is indeed relatively high. However, there is a practical reason. The first is that copyrighted books have to go through more procedures, meaning more cost. Secondly, Christianity in China is relatively unpopular and niche, which leads to low sales and high costs. No one will like high prices. Yet, there is a reason for it, and we need to understand it.
Piracy means stealing
Brother Tim thinks that the issue of pirated and other copyrighted materials is by nature theological; that is, the essence of piracy is stealing. “It’s like I want one million Yuan, which I don’t have, so can’t I steal it? Piracy is the same as this. You can’t say because I don’t have it, so I’ll rob or steal it, everything belongs to God anyway. However, please wake up to the fact that you are not God at all, okay? God didn’t give you that much.”
For some Christians, it seems that everything can be done as long as it is in the name of faith and God, and Brother Tim thinks it is wrong. “This is a cognitive problem. It seems quite reasonable to pirate in the name of faith, but in fact, this understanding is self-centered. In other words, it depends on the needs of ‘I’. Because my needs are not met, so I can meet my needs by pirating or buying pirated books.” Therefore, Brother Tim thinks that supporting piracy and thinking that piracy is justified is wrong. It is a confusing mindset. “But in reality, not to mention ordinary Christians, even many pastors and preachers don’t have a clear understanding of this problem. When they encounter piracy issues, they only turn a blind eye.”
Pirated books are not advisable, is it ok to listen to pirated audio?
The answer is no.
Copyright is also termed “intellectual property." It refers to the rights enjoyed by the author or others (including legal persons) on certain works according to law. This includes the use of works in the form of publication, reproduction, broadcasting, performance, exhibition, film, translation, or adaptation through legal channels. Anyone without copyright or authorization has no right to use the works in the above forms or as such. Changing a book from text to audio is illegal or suspected of piracy. It is also illegal to listen to the audio of a book without copyright or authorization.
Another brother who is familiar with Brother Tim once sent an audio link to a reading group. After opening the link, Brother Tim found that the audio was delivered as part of a book. They were recommending this good book recently. That brother said that it was much more convenient for everyone to listen than to read. Afterward, Brother Tim told him that although the idea was out of love, such an approach might involve infringement, so he could not do it because the copyright owner did not authorize him. After learning that, the brother might not do it again in the future. Many people are engaged in piracy largely because they do not even know that downloading free e-books and listening to audiobooks on the Internet are all piracy.
Christians’ copyright awareness needs to be improved urgently
The brother in the above case was originally out of kindness, and his church was recommending the book. He accidentally found that the content was made into audio. What he did not know was that although it was not him who made the audio, and he only forwarded the link of the audio, he had infringed the copyright of others by both forwarding the link and listening to the audio. Had Brother Tim not explained it, he would not have known so.
There are also Christians who regard books as treasures. After buying or getting them through other channels, they scan them to make e-books in PDF format and forward them everywhere. They think that in this way, others do not need to buy anymore, that they are acting in love, and that God will be pleased with this practice.
In terms of copyright awareness, many Christians are not even as good as that of many non-believers. In comparison, many non-believers have more social experiences and wider contacts, knowing that copyright should be respected and piracy is a proper illegal act. However, the Christian community’s awareness of copyright is very low or even completely absent, and after making mistakes, they will defend and excuse themselves in the name of faith. However, God never takes the initiative to use human mistakes and sins to achieve God’s will.
“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” (The Book of Proverbs 29:18) Here, revelation refers more to the meaning of law. As the saying goes, nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. Brother Tim thinks that the copyright awareness of Christians in China needs to be improved urgently, and the church and pastors are duty-bound to do so. Teaching believers to have such awareness and respect for copyright is a kind of herding. Pasturing is more than things about the soul and spirituality. How to make believers live correctly in this world is also a very important and urgent part of pastoral care.
(Originally published by the Christian Times, the article has been edited under permission.)
- Translated by Charlie Li
Northern Minister Calls Urgent Improvement in Copyright Awareness Among Chinese Christians
