<P> The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). Many popular, earlier versions of the Bible, such as the King James Bible, were themselves based on earlier translations of average quality . Since then many discoveries had been made . The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality scriptures available . Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English . </P> <P> A team of 15 biblical scholars, representing a variety of denominations, worked from the oldest copies of reliable scripture, variously written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek . Each section was subjected to multiple translations and revisions, and those assessed in detail to produce the best option . Everyday Bible readers were used to provide feedback on ease of understanding and comprehensibility . Finally, plans were made to continue revision of the Bible as new discoveries were made and as changes in the use of the English language occurred . </P> <P> The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK . The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011, and has become one of the most popular and best selling modern translations . </P> <P> The NIV began in 1956 with the formation of a small committee to study the value of producing a translation in the common language of the American people . The project was formally started after a meeting in 1965 at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, of the Christian Reformed Church, National Association of Evangelicals, and a group of international scholars . The initial "Committee on Bible Translation" consisted of E. Leslie Carlson, Edmund Clowney, Ralph Earle, Jr., Burton L. Goddard, R. Laird Harris, Earl S. Kalland, Kenneth Kantzer, Robert H. Mounce, Charles F. Pfeiffer, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Francis R. Steele, John H. Stek, J.C. Wenger, Stephen W. Paine, and Marten Woudstra . The New York Bible Society (now Biblica) was selected to do the translation . The New Testament was released in 1973 and the full Bible in 1978 . </P>

Who owns the rights to the niv bible