"It is not pedantry; one cannot claim to have written the KJV version"
Sure one can. In fact, copyright has nothing to say regarding plagiarism. US copyright only prevents the copying of a work. I could claim to have authored Star Wars, the Bible, and your post -- copyright does not provide you recourse against this so long as I do not /copy/ them.
"The text is in the public domain but it is still covered by copyright."
No, it is not. Text in the public domain is not covered by copyright according to US law. Copyright ONLY applies to copies and incorporation into derivative works in the USA.
I apologize for being contradictory but you are completely wrong on both points here.
Sure one can. In fact, copyright has nothing to say regarding plagiarism. US copyright only prevents the copying of a work. I could claim to have authored Star Wars, the Bible, and your post -- copyright does not provide you recourse against this so long as I do not /copy/ them.
"The text is in the public domain but it is still covered by copyright."
No, it is not. Text in the public domain is not covered by copyright according to US law. Copyright ONLY applies to copies and incorporation into derivative works in the USA.
I apologize for being contradictory but you are completely wrong on both points here.