Copyright Information
Copyright Licensing: Questions and Answers: In Order to Answer Our Call To Do the Right Thing
1) Why have a video or music license?
Legal penalties for unauthorized use of “home use only” videos in a church setting or for duplication or projection of copyrighted music are severe and fines expensive.
2) Are all videos and music covered under the license?
NO! No license covers all film producers or music publishers. CCLI covers over 2000 music publishers, CVLI (formerly MPLC) covers 52 major film producers. Before showing a video or duplicating (or projecting) music be sure that the publisher/producer is covered in the license agreement listing. If not, the publisher/producer must be directly contacted for permission to exhibit or duplicate (or project). A listings of video producers the CVLI license covers is available on line at www.cvli.org. Your copy of the license will be sent to you annually with the invoice for your church. The list of music publishers covered by the CCLI license is available on-line at www.ccli.com. You should receive annual confirmation of renewal directly from CCLI.
Note: the CCLI license does not cover most choral sheet music.
3) Why a blanket license for all churches when some small churches may not use it and some larger churches could purchase their own? A blanket license with 100% of the churches in the judicatory covered results in a 30% discount for the music license and a 60% discount in the video license. It is less expensive to pay for unused or minimally used licenses than to pay full price for coverage for fewer churches. Smaller churches may actually be more likely to use a music license instead of having to invest in hymnals or multiple hymnals.
Pittsburgh Presbytery has been paying license suppliers since 2000 so congregations should not receive any additional invoices from either company. If you should receive one in error return the invoice to the company indicating that you are covered under the Pittsburgh Presbytery Judicatory blanket license.
4) Why these licensing companies and not others?
The Christian Video Licensing International (formerly MPLC) is recommended in the denominational publication on copyright law “Rightful Use”.
CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc.) was recommended in copyright workshops at national training events for Resource Center staff and at the National Association of Presbyterian Church Educators annual event.
5) Does the local church have to fill out the license application forms? Is there any paperwork or record keeping involved?
Pittsburgh Presbytery offices will forward a full list of churches to be covered in the licensing agreements to the respective companies. No further application will be needed.
The music license does require record keeping by the local congregation. Full instructions will accompany the license agreement that will be sent to each congregation directly from CCLI. The church office is responsible to keep records of all copies made. A periodic report is due to CCLI when the reporting packet is sent to your church or you receive notice on-line to make reports through the CCLI website - www.ccli.com
The CCLI license number must appear on all music copies made or songs projected.
If you cannot find your church’s license number contact the Resource Center at 412-323-1400 X 305.
6) Church Music Publishers Association has a website with additional good information on copyright law including an excellent guide available on-line at www.cmpamusic.org.