Robert Fisher
Just thinking out loud
copyright for the church musician
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First & formost: I am not a lawyer!
There are many copyright issues for a church musician to consider. Some of which are:
- Copying lyrics.
- Copying music notation.
- Recording worship or other events.
- Playing recordings at worship or other events.
- Live performance.
It is important to realize that while a particular composition might be in the public domain, that a particular expression of that composition—a recorded performance or a printed score—probably will be protected by copyright.
Some people think that it is enough to get a CCLI license & that it covers everything related to copyright. It does not!
Here's generally where you need to go to get rights for copying, recording, or performing:
- Lyrics: CCLI
- Notation: publisher
- Recording: CCLI/publisher
- Playing recordings: publisher
- Live performance: ? (but see note below)
17 U.S.C. §106(4) gives the copyright holder (normally the composer) exclusive performance rights. 17 U.S.C. §110(3), however, gives an explicit exception for:
performance of a nondramatic literary or musical work or of a dramatico-musical work of a religious nature, or display of a work, in the course of services at a place of worship or other religious assembly
What is not protected:
- Song titles are not protected.
- Chord progressions are not protected.
last updated 1 year ago #
