BETTER BY SUNDAY
[ EXEMPTIONS TO THE EXEMPTION | Paul Herman ]
WHAT YOUR CHURCH NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE (CCLI) covers over 160,000 churches across then yes, you’re fine. But considering the
RELIGIOUS SERVICE EXEMPTION. North America with the Church Copyright realities of church music ministries, that’s not
AND WHY YOU STILL NEED CCLI. (2 OF 2) License, which provides a convenient solution usually the case. Somewhere along the line,
to many of the copyright issues that church someone will probably want to introduce a song
Yes, churches have a special exemption written music ministries face. In light of all this, let’s that’s not in the hymnal, so they’ll project lyrics
into the Copyright Law for worship services. look at some scenarios that CCLI Service up on a screen. Sub-ministries of the church
But not for everything. Just certain things. Representatives often hear as we talk with may need to create a song sheet. Retreats
churches on the phone. and camps may need a custom songbook.
Section 110(3) of the U.S. Copyright Law
Weddings and funerals may require a special
(otherwise known as the Religious Service “You’re saying we have to PAY to sing worship insert into the program. And if any of these
Exemption) states that the following are not songs in our church?” events are recorded, churches will run into the
infringements of copyright:
copyright issues of reproduction, recording and
No, no, no, a thousand times, NO! There is no
distribution.
“Performance of a nondramatic literary or permission needed and no fee needs to be musical work or of a dramatico-musical work paid in order to sing in church. But copyright The Church Copyright License from CCLI
of a religious nature, or display of a work, in issues arise when churches reproduce song covers all the above scenarios/copyright issues
the course of services at a place of worship or lyrics or record their services. Reproduction and more, because it was developed back in
other religious assembly.” and recording are exclusive rights that are not 1985 by a former worship leader with a heart
exempt. for the church. Howard Rachinski created
2 OUT OF 6
the blanket license concept so that copyright
The U.S. Copyright Law grants six exclusive But we don’t copy anything anymore. We just compliance can be simple and affordable.
rights to owners of copyrighted creative project lyrics. CCLI does not police church activities; rather,
works: reproduction, adaptation, distribution,
it comes alongside the church as a friend
performance, display and recording. The Interesting point. Especially since display is and advocate, providing a comprehensive,
Religious Service Exemption covers certain exempted in the Religious Services Exemption. convenient, and cost-effective solution to
aspects of two of those six exclusive rights But a copyright issue arises when someone typical copyright issues faced by church music
(performance and display) in the course of has first entered those lyrics into a computer, ministries.
a worship service. So, churches must still be or has written them down on a transparency. mindful of all the exclusive rights of copyright That’s reproduction which is not exempt.
owners to avoid copyright infringement.
So, for the exemptions to the exemption,
you’ll find practical solutions with the Church
We only use the hymn book in our services.
Copyright License from CCLI.
WHY CCLI?
Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc. If that’s 100% true, all of the time—no exceptions,
60 August 2017
WorshipMusician.com