Copyright question

[matie-k]

Does anyone know what sort of law(s) there are or aren't concerning churches (or individuals, for that matter) photo-copying music and spreading it around? I've just been wondering.

[Bakershalfdozen]

My understanding is that you can make one copy for every piece purchased. For instance, I have a book of solos. I am going to sing a solo in church but the pianist needs a copy. That is allowable. It is not allowable to buy one choir book and make copies for everyone in the choir.


If this is incorrect, I'm sure someone will let us know. :Green

[Anon]

Our church buys some sort of right every year that allows us to copy music for our own use (not for resale and only for church use) but I'm not sure where we get it or how. But I know that when we make copies for church use, that its legal because of whatever we buy each year.

[kevinmiller]

Nah...just copy it, they won't find out. :hide :wink

[Timothy]

Some pieces of music are copyrighted, while others aren't, so it all depends. There are all kinds of technicalities and loop-holes in stuff like this. Basically, if you make copies, don't tell anyone that you made copies--that's what Windoz copiers do :frog

For the technical side of the law... err... ask your lawyer and listen to him talk for a couple of hours...

[gatorpreacher]

You are allowed "plus one"; as stated if your piano player, etc. needs a copy;

As for "NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW..........DID YOU FORGET GOD???" Most authors will allow multiple copies,if you simply contact them and let them know you are doing it. They do not mind if a local church, needs it for the choir; but if they did not keep up with this........their materials would get bootlegged as soon as they hit the market.

gatorpreacher

Character is what you are, when nobody is around to watch you. :amen:

[tarheel]

Purchasing a license from CCLI is the way to go to legally make a large number of copies of songs which are still protected with a copyright. After paying an annual fee based upon your regular attendance for your main service, you are allowed to copy up to that number of a copyrighted song. They also cover the typical songs that many IFB churches use - Majesty Music's Praises I, II, & III - Ron Hamilton/Frank Garlock, Wilds - Mac Lynch, Bible Truth Music - Byron Foxx, etc.

It also covers your recording of the services, since any copyrighted songs sung in the service are still covered by the law.

[chev1958]

Yeah, what tarheel said. If you get a complimentary copy of a songbook and make copies for the entire choir, you've violated that copyright. The writers need to make a living too.

Mitch

[zealyouthguy]

Yeah, what tarheel said. If you get a complimentary copy of a songbook and make copies for the entire choir, you've violated that copyright. The writers need to make a living too.

Mitch

Well, in the interest of full disclosure, most of the hymn's that IFB's sing (during church) that are of any age, have been bought and sold.

Many of the original hymn writers... did so for the glory of God and not the money.

[Sojourner]

Purchasing a license from CCLI is the way to go to legally make a large number of copies of songs which are still protected with a copyright. After paying an annual fee based upon your regular attendance for your main service, you are allowed to copy up to that number of a copyrighted song. They also cover the typical songs that many IFB churches use - Majesty Music's Praises I, II, & III - Ron Hamilton/Frank Garlock, Wilds - Mac Lynch, Bible Truth Music - Byron Foxx, etc.

It also covers your recording of the services, since any copyrighted songs sung in the service are still covered by the law.

We've purchased a copyright license from CCLI for several years now. Our church is small, so it's only around $100 per year.