This page contains information and advice about complying with copyright licensing requirements for playing and performing music, showing films, projecting or printing out the words and music, copying music sheets and for streaming services.
Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI)
Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) offers a number of Licences for Churches to enable the legal use of creative works. Click on the links below to find out more about the licences needed to cover the use of different materials. More information can be found on the CCLI website.
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Projecting or printing words/music for worship songs
The CCLI Church Copyright Licence permits churches to project or print out the words and music to worship songs and hymns.
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Copying and sharing sheet music
Music Reproduction Licence permits churches to photocopy, or scan typeset sheet music or pages from many of the songbooks and music publications commonly used by churches. It also permits you to share sheet music digitally.
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Photocopying non-music publications
CLA Church Licence permits churches to make photocopies from non-music publications such as study books, journals, magazines, children’s activity books and drama scripts where permission is required.
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Showing film scenes during services
The Church Video Licence provides the legal cover required to publicly show film scenes during services. When combined with other licences, it also permits churches to show films and TV broadcasts outside of worship services, for example, during youth clubs, outreach events and social activities.
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Live music performances (outside of church worship)
PRS for Music Church Licence permits churches for live music performances (outside of church worship) such as concerts and recitals.
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Play music recordings outside of church worship
PPL Church Licence when combined with the PRS for Music Church Licence this permits churches to play music recordings on CD, MP3 and other formats in activities (outside of church worship) on church premises.
Streaming Licences
CCLI Streaming Licences
CCLI also provides streaming licences which are available to any church which holds a CCLI Church Copyright Licence. For many churches, this licence will cover them for their streaming activity.
For churches who are streaming their services via YouTube or Facebook, the CCLI Streaming Licence will cover them for live worship music performed as part of that stream. (This would include services streamed or webcast via YouTube but embedded into the church’s own website).
You can check on the SongSelect section of the CCLI website as to whether permissions for a particular hymn or song are covered by them.
If the church is hosting the stream/webcast on their own website, they will need the PRS for Music Limited Online Music Licence (LOML) in addition to the CCLI Streaming Licence.
The CCLI Streaming Licence includes the right to show the words on screen and allows a church to make recordings of the services available on their website indefinitely provided you keep renewing your streaming licences. These licences cover ‘live’ music performances.
If a church is using recorded music as part of the stream, additional rights come into play. Commercially available CDs or music recordings cannot be played unless specific permission is granted by the copyright holder.
Other streaming licenses - One Licence
Another license, One License is available which covers an additional range of church and choral music e.g. Taize, GIA Publications, Oxford University Press, Wild Goose Resource Group, Kevin Mayhew.
Churches could consider both a One Licence and CCLI Streaming Licence to enable access to a broad range of Christian music for online services. With One Licence (as with the CCLI Streaming Licence) commercially available CDs or music recordings cannot be played unless specific permission is granted by the copyright holder.
Advice on using Zoom to stream services
Churches using Zoom to stream services need both the CCLI Streaming Licence and the PRS for Music LOML. This is because Zoom doesn’t currently have an agreement with PRS for Music as YouTube and Facebook do.
Using other copyrighted material
Permission should also be sought from the owner(s) of any other creative works included in the service. If reproducing bible verses, or liturgy, usually there will be copyright information in the front of the publication, and usually they will allow for a certain proportion to be reproduced.
For any images etc. the same rules would apply as in normal circumstances. Never assume that you can take an image found on Google and use it in a church service or include it in a service sheet or similar without permission.
Information on where to find rights-free music and free images for commerial use can be found on our 'Design tools, images and digital resources' webpage, a link to this page can be found in the 'related links' section below.
