Christians, Churches, Copyrights and Christ

Which of the following statements is true about using lyrics, songs, dramas, and videos for church services and outreach events?
1. Songs may be used if you own the sheet music.
2. Lyrics displayed on a video screen are OK if you don't make paper copies.
3. You can use whatever you need if you don't charge admission.
4. Video clips from movies can be used if the length doesn't exceed 3 minutes.

Answer: None of the above.

Many of you reading this probably thought at least one of those statements was true. Having been in Christian production for many years, I have heard all of these reasons -- and countless others-- given by churches, worship leaders and pastors for why they did not need to seek permission or pay licensing fees for works they used. But the truth is, that if you use anything created by someone else, you must have permission to use it or you are guilty of stealing property. The US copyright laws, with very few and specific exceptions, allow the creator of a work to retain the rights to it. And being ignorant of the law isn't a defense for violating it.

With the exception of music performed live during a regular worship service, any use by a church must be with permission. For example, if your praise team performs a song that's on the top 10 pop chart during your worship service, that's OK under copyright law. If you project the lyrics of that song on a screen or print them in your bulletin, that's not allowed unless you have obtained permission. If you show a video clip or use parts of a video or song to create your own video used during your service or special event, you must have permission from the copyright holders to do that.

The law is complicated, but it's not hard to obtain the permissions necessary for any use. It's amazing to me, however, how many Christians, who normally would abhor lying or stealing, so readily throw these commandments aside when it comes to using copyrighted works for church events.

Masterwork Productions offers a workshop to help churches understand the law and resources for how to obtain permissions. Please contact us for assistance so that you may be the best witness for Christ in your church and community. If you know what the law is, and you know what is right, but choose to do wrong, that is sin.
Lauren Yarger
masterworkproductions@yahoo.com