For I am the LOrd (TM)
The copyright arms race has reached new heights: The Vatican has chosen to enforce its copyright to the words and writings of the pope. While I still marvel at the idiocy of this, the Holy See is quick to clarify that this is not about money, but about censorship:
Vatican officials explain that their goal is not to limit access to the Pope’s words, but to prevent “premature” publication of leaked documents, and to guard against exploitation of the Pope’s name.
Meanwhile, a group not renowned for an excessively critical attitude towards the catholic church is starting to have its doubts:
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”.
The copyright claims are retroactive for the past 50 years. So if you plan on criticising the church, get a lawyer to be sure you stay within the Fair Use limits of your country. Otherwise: If you don’t shut up and kneel while receiving papal (or was that PayPal) indoctrination, then help you God™