his/her death without the permission or authority of the copyright holder
However, the Church copyright licence was created to enable those churches who hold a licence to reproduce song and hymn words legally. Illegal copying, which includes hand or photocopying, overhead projector acetates, computer storage, and cassette
to cassette copying, deprives the copyright holders of their
rightful income, and could also present the church with expensive fines. By purchasing a Church Copyright Licence, churches enter into an agreement which has been made with the writers of over 120,000 songs and have permission to use their songs without having to obtain direct permission or make separate payments.
The basis of the agreement made through the Church Copyright license is that no commercial profit will be made through the use of these songs. The licence allows churches to produce their own supplementary song books, or to create acetates for overhead projection either by hand or by computer. Song sheets for special services can be made. and even those churches who do not have a licence can obtain a short term licence to cover special events such as weddings, conferences and missions. Churches who wish to make audio or video recordings of services may also tape the songs, provided that there is a limited and non-profit making circulation.
Church Copyright licences are charged on the basis of the average size of the congregation attending the main service. In order to acquire a Church Copyright Licence contact CCL Ltd., P.O. Box 1339, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4YF Tel: 01323 417711. They will be able to answer any queries you may have concerning the licence. They will provide lists of all songs and song writers whose work is covered by both elements of the licence. Click here to visit their web site.
Those who take out a licence undertake to complete an annual Song Survey which involves ticking those listed songs which have been reproduced.
The music of Taizé is not covered by CCL. To obtain permission, contact Calamus, Oak House, 70 High Street, Brandon, Suffolk IP27 0AU Tel: 01842 819 830 or click here to visit the Taizé website.
