Music Copyright & Licensing for Churches in the U.S.A.
by Dean McIntyre
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 1: What does the law say about churches copying music?
The 1976 Copyright Act and later laws and amendments make it illegal for churches, committees, Sunday school classes, choirs, and any other church group to copy music, including: hand- or photocopying, arranging, recording, and broadcasting of copyrighted lyrics or music, including use in song sheets, overhead transparencies, worship bulletins or inserts, slides, and PowerPoint projections. The singing of copyrighted music from legally published sources is allowed since this does not involve any copying. Remember, none of the statements below allow you to photocopy music or lyrics, even if . . .
- It's from our own denominational hymnal.
- We want to use it only one time.
- We only want to copy the words.
- We're a church and want to use the hymn in our worship services.
- We're a Sunday school class and want to study this hymn in our class.
FAQ 2: What is licensing and what does it allow churches to do?
Some companies negotiate with copyright holders for permission to sell licenses to churches that will allow them to make and use copies of their music under certain conditions. The license covers only the composers, publishers, and copyright holders listed with that particular license issuer, and it is always the responsibility of the church to be sure a particular selection is covered. Although license terms may differ among issuing companies, most will allow at least the copying of lyrics and melody line in church bulletins, song sheets and books, transparencies, slides, and PowerPoint for use in worship and study in the local church. These copies must always bear the required permission and credit lines and may never be given away, loaned out, sold, or used outside the local congregation. The copies may be reused as long as the license is renewed annually, but they must be destroyed if the license lapses.
FAQ 3: How does my church obtain a license? Which one? Cost?
Churches should contact one or more licensing companies according to the type of music they want to use.
Church Copyright Licensing, Inc. (CCLI)
6130 NE 78th Court, Suite C11
Portland, OR 97218-2853
1-800-234-2446
www.ccli.com/CopyrightAdmin/Index.cfm
CCLI's license covers the largest number of publishers and includes all United Methodist publishing groups, Word, Hope, Maranatha!,Integrity Hosanna, and others. Much contemporary praise music and many choruses are included in this group.LicenSing
Logos Production
P.O. Box 240
South St. Paul, MN 55075-0240
1-800-328-0200
LicenSing covers a smaller list of publishers and is designed more for mainline or traditional congregations. It includes all United Methodist publishing groups and more international companies. There is a good bit of overlap with Church Copyright Licensing, Inc.GIA
7404 South Mason Ave.
Chicago, IL 60638
1-800-442-1358
http://www.giamusic.com
GIA's license covers fewer copyright holders than the other licenses, but those it covers are covered only by GIA. They include GIA's own publications as well as the music of Les Presses de Taizé (France), The Iona Community (Scotland), The Grail (England), and The Dameans.The costs of these licenses will vary depending on church size, but are quite affordable. Some United Methodist annual conferences have purchased a CCLI license that will allow their churches to purchase a CCLI license at an even lower cost, often less than $50 per year. There is some light bookkeeping and use reporting required for some licenses.
Dean McIntyre (dmcintyre@gbod.org) is Director of Music Resources at The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee. Visit the General Board of Discipleship's Worship Web Site at www.umcworship.org.