Copyright-Checklist for Churches - Information on Question No. 2
Do you print song lyrics in service sheets, bulletins or church newsletters etc. ?
When reproducing song lyrics you require a licence. This applies regardless whether you print, photocopy or duplicate songs by hand writing. Through the Church Copyright Licence (CCL) you can get legal coverage for reproducing songs for bulletins, newsletters, service sheets, lead sheets and the like. This is a blanket licence for reproducing songs (lyrics and chords/notation) at church.
Please note: Your church might be paying GEMA fees already. But GEMA doesn't cover the graphical reproduction of songs. GEMA is in charge for performance, broadcast and mechanical rights. (Please see the table below.)
There are different aspects of utilizing songs:
Kind-of-Use
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Utilization |
Licensed by |
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- Printing
- Photocopying
- Hand writing
- Storing songs on a computer
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- Public Performance like live concerts or playing music from a CD
- Broadcasts (Radio, television, internet)
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- Reproduction of CDs or DVDs, which contain recorded music.
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Back to the checklist
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