I would hazard a guess that your church uses a copyright licence from CCLI. This gives you access to print/project words to the songs you sing at church, create songbooks, create custom arrangements and more (read more about what you can and can’t do).

On the CCLI website I came across this question:

Q: What acknowledgements should I add to song sheets / transparencies I produce?

A: Here is what copyright details need to be added to all reproductions under the Licence:

“[Song Title]” words and music by [writer(s)]
[year] [name of copyright owner]
Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. [ ]

Given that so many churches now project song words (89% of those polled on the CCLI website), I emailed CCLI to ask how this applies to churches using projector screen and other electronic means to display song words. They replied:

“Under the Church Copyright Licence Terms of Agreement (http://www.ccli.com.au/pdfs/CCLTerms.pdf) Section 5.2 highlights the duty of the church in this regard, and states that “every reproduced version of a song shall contain the full and correct song title, writer credit(s) and copyright notice…”

I would hazard another guess that many churches (mine included) need to update their slides to correctly incorporate the correct acknowledgements.

Copyright 2010 Steven Kryger.
Post from: Communicate Jesus. Follow Communicate Jesus on Twitter.
Acknowledging song writers at church

Five websites and online resources to inspire, inform and enthuse.

1. The Twitter Guide Book. A comprehensive guide from Mashable.
2. How President Obama spends his time. If you missed it, this relates to ‘You’re busy, but are you productive?‘
3. 11 ways to use images poorly in slides. Some lessons for churches here?!
4. 100 online tools for non-profits. Which of these does your ministry use?
5. Why use royalty-free music. Good article, following the recent discussion on copyright and churches.

Copyright 2010 Steven Kryger.
Post from: Communicate Jesus. Follow Communicate Jesus on Twitter.
5 (useful) links #16

Writing an article explaining how to download a video from YouTube, I didn’t realise the rabbit burrow I’d be tumbling into. I’ve come to a couple of conclusions:

1. copyright is complicated, and
2. many churches are unaware of the copyright laws that bind their use of media (video and audio).

However, I have continued on, undeterred, and done some more investigation. From what I can work out there are two situations where videos might be used in churches:

1. to show in a church service (e.g. as a sermon illustration).
2. to show in a church for entertainment (e.g. playing a video at a youth group social).

Let’s tackle the first scenario – a common one. Using videos during church, e.g. as a sermon illustration. From what I can gather, Australia has a fair dealing provision. According to the Copyright Council:

“The Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) allows people to use copyright material without the copyright owner’s permission in certain situations. These include making a “fair dealing” for certain purposes…

“There is no general exception for using copyright material simply because you think it is fair or because you are not making a profit. The copyright act allows you to use copyright material without permission if your use is a “fair dealing” for one of the following purposes:

• research or study;
• criticism or review;
• parody or satire;
• reporting news; or
• professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney or trade marks attorney.”

So, it appears that the use of video clips as sermon illustrations is possible, without permission from the author/creator, as long as this is accompanied by a critique, or is used to make a satirical point.

Let’s take a look at the second example – playing full-length or just longer videos for purposes other than those stated above. Some examples I can think of include playing a video at a youth group social or playing a video on the bus on the way to youth group camp.

On the website for the Australian Copyright Council there is a section for non-profit organisations including churches. On this page is a link to a document I downloaded: ‘Videos, films and DVDs: screening in public.’ On page two it says:

“A licence for screening a film or video in a church can be obtained from Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI). Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) joined with the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) to form CVLI and create a church video licence. This licence allows churches and other ministry organisations to show videos and films (of participating producers) in a public setting. The licence covers over 60 producers, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks and Paramount and over 1000 movie titles. CVLI also offers group licences whereby several churches in one denomination can arrange for their licences together at a reduced rate. For more information, and to apply online for a licence, visit www.cvli.com.au.”

From what I can gather, unless churches want to get express permission from the author/creator/publisher, this license from CCLI is the best (only?) way to go.

On the same website I also came across ‘Churches and Copyright: A Practical Guide‘. However, this publication is $15 and was published in 1995 with a supplement in 2004, so I’ve written to the Copyright Council asking if this publication is still current.

Tonight I’ve also watched a short DVD produced by Outreach Media entitled ‘Copyright or Copywrong?’ It’s produced by Outreach Media and makes some great points and provides useful advice about copyright and Christian ministry. Contact Outreach Media for a copy (I’m not sure how many copies are left, or the current price).

On a related note, I’ve also written to YouTube, asking what restrictions govern the use of YouTube videos during a church service.

I’m not a lawyer, but from scouring the CCLI website and the website for the Copright Council, these are the conclusions I’ve come to. I welcome the input from those more learned than I!

Copyright 2010 Steven Kryger.
Post from: Communicate Jesus. Follow Communicate Jesus on Twitter.
Copyright and screening videos in church