Copyright

Overview

Copyright compliance is both a legal obligation under the Copyright Act 1968, and a Christian ethical duty: “You shall not steal.”

Churches can play or perform copyrighted music in the context of public worship. However, reprinting or projecting the lyrics of copyrighted hymns/songs need to be properly credited and logged with a licensing company (such as CCLI) on every occasion.

Lyrics by an author or music by a composer who died more than 70 years ago are considered ‘public domain’ and can be used without permission. However, any music performed during services should be acknowledged for moral copyright reasons and credited.

For example, if you are reproducing the words of ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’ it would be credited as follows:

Words: Isaac Watts d. 1748 Public Domain
Music: Melody from A Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature c. 1780 adapted by Edward Miller 1731-1807

Words by an author/composer who is still living, or who died less than 70 years ago, must be:

• covered by the licensing system you are using (e.g., CCLI, OneLicence etc);
• correctly attributed;
• and listed with and recorded under your unique copyright licence number.

For example, if you are reproducing the words of Matt Redman’s ‘Ten Thousand Reasons (Bless the Lord)’ it would be credited as follows:

Words: © Matt Redman 1974 -
Reproduced with permission CCLI XXXXXX

YouTube videos can only be used in public worship if the publisher or copyright owner has given permission for it to be shown in public. The Australian Copyright Council has issued its advice about using YouTube in church services.

Online services in which music is performed or lyrics are displayed require a live-streaming license which can be purchased from CCLI, APRA-AMCOS or other licensing companies.