Copyright Issues in Music Projection and Duplication
The use of projection of words (and sometimes music) for aid in congregational singing is growing in populatiry. Some questions have been asked about the practice, so here are some resources for consideration.
- General Board of Discipleship Worship Site Information on Copyright and LIcensing
- Creative Commons - Making Copyright More Flexible
© Copyright Information for Churches
Music~Videos~Audio Recording~Video Recording~Curriculum and Books~Scripture~Cartoons
From the web site of The New England Annual Conference (reproduced by permission)
See also: Music Licenses Versus Purchasing Song Books — Which Is Better? - by Dean McIntyre
MUSIC
It is illegal to copy words from a hymn or song for a song booklet without a license.
It is illegal to copy words from a hymn or song for an overhead projector without a license.
It is illegal to record copyrighted music during a religious service without permission. (See section on audiotapes)
The United Methodist Hymnal states, "United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any single item from the hymnal for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided the item bears a United Methodist Publishing House or Abingdon Press copyright notice; that the copyright notice as shown on the page is included on the reproduction; and The United Methodist Hymnal is acknowledged as the source. (See page 906 of the United Methodist Hymnal)
In order to copy music for church use, churches may purchase a license from CCLl (Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc.) Churches may also obtain permission for use of individual copyrighted pieces from producers.
For, CCLI membership information, call 800-234-2446 or www.ccli.com.
Copying music and / or words for song sheets, overhead projection, recording, or for any other reason without permission is illegal.
VIDEO
Videotapes that are rented from your local video store are for home use only. They may not be shown in public settings without permission. This includes even educational settings such as small groups, Sunday school classes, youth meetings, etc. Many videotapes produced for church use have public performance rights.
You may obtain a CVLI (Christian Video Licensing International) license at a substantially reduced rate by calling United Methodist Communications at 888-346-3862. Information about CVLI can be found at www.cvli.org or by calling 888-771-2854.
Showing a video without public performance rights or the copyright owner's permission is illegal.
AUDIO RECORDINGS
Tapes may be copied of a worship service and distributed if the tape does not include a performance of copyrighted music (unless a CCLl license has been purchased) or other copyrighted material such as a dramatic reading. You must turn off your taping machine while copyrighted music and/or dramatic readings are being performed if you do not have permission. If the service includes any copyrighted material, written permission must be obtained from the publisher before taping.
VIDEO RECORDINGS
Video recordings of worship that include a performance of copyrighted music or other copyrighted material such as a dramatic reading come under the same restrictions as audio recording. All permission for the video recording of such performances must be obtained before video recording.
If you are recording your service to show on cable TV, contact [Brian Riecke] for suggestions.
CURRICULUM AND BOOKS
Curriculum and books are protected by copyright laws. No curriculum, whole, or in part, or pages from books should be copied without permission from the author or publisher. Some curriculum pieces give permission to copy "reproducible" sheets.
SCRIPTURE
Most Bibles allow the copying and quoting of scripture. The King James version, published in 1611, is in the public domain and may be quoted extensively. However, the Revised Standard Version as well as all other new versions are not in the public domain and are, therefore, copyrighted. Permission to quote or copy Scripture from these translations is usually located in the front of the Bible. Following the guidelines that are given in these translations, you will find information on how to quote or display Scripture from any Bible version to use in a worship service. This includes worship bulletins, banners, church newsletters, Sunday school instructional material and overhead transparencies. When you are quoting from Bibles other than KJV, the quote must conform to the text - including appropriate spelling, punctuation, capitalization and special text formats - and the source must be indicated.
CARTOONS
Copyrighted cartoons are given the same protections as written text. You must receive written permission to copy.
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