The Five Questions We Hear The Most
At CCLI we are asked lots of interesting questions about copyright law and the coverage we provide. After all, there’s many different ways that churches can now use creative works in their ministries.
However, there are also some questions that we are asked all the time. So here are answers to the five questions we hear the most.
1. Can we show YouTube videos in church?
In the last few years, no question has been asked more than this one. Websites such as YouTube offer a world of readily-available videos on almost every conceivable topic, so it’s no wonder churches are keen to share them in services and meetings.
However, as YouTube doesn’t own the videos uploaded to its platform, it doesn’t have the rights to license them for public display. As a result, YouTube’s terms restrict videos on its site to private viewing only. This means that to legally show a video from YouTube in church, you will need to obtain permission from the copyright owner(s) beforehand. Our article Showing Videos In Church provides further guidance on the different types of video available, and what to consider before showing them.
If you’re unable to obtain permission to show a video from YouTube, our advice is to find an alternative source. Wherever you get your videos, CCLI recommends you always check the terms of the site you are using, and never assume you can use a video without confirming you are allowed to show it in public.
2. Do you provide a benefice licence?
As churches within a benefice increasingly share resources, this has become a common question.
CCLI doesn’t provide a specific benefice licence, and each separate congregation should hold their own licence(s). Our AH size category is designed specifically for very small congregations. If in doubt, our team are here to help you find the most affordable way to use the content you need with copyright peace of mind.
3. What do your licences cover?
CCLI’s licences are designed to make legal access to a wealth of copyrighted content simple and affordable. You’ll find details of what our licences permit you to do on the Copyright Licences page of our website.
As CCLI’s agreements with rights holders often authorise the use of entire catalogues, it’s not possible to provide lists of the individual titles covered. Instead, if you need to check if a particular song or title is covered, simply visit SongSelect.ccli.com and enter the song title and author in the search box. If you don’t find a match, it’s likely the song is not covered by the licence.
To confirm if a publisher catalogue is authorised under your licence, search the Church Copyright Licence – Covered Catalogues.
If you find the title you wish to use is not covered by your CCLI licence, we recommend contacting the copyright owner directly to obtain permission.
If in doubt, contact our team and we’ll help you check.
4. How can I check if the film we want to show is covered by our Church Video Licence?
The Church Video Licence authorises the use of films produced by more than 3,000 studios, including most Hollywood majors. This means your licence permits you to show a vast and ever increasing number of films, but there are some films that it doesn’t cover.
If you need to make sure, our step-by-step guide is the best way to confirm if the film you want to show is authorised by your Church Video Licence.
5. Can we stream a wedding or funeral service?
A wedding or funeral may well contain a number of creative works that are in copyright. Additional permissions will be required if you stream or upload the service to the internet, and care should be taken to obtain these before publishing any recording online.
The permissions you’ll need depend on the type of content that will be featured. CCLI offers a choice of streaming licences that will permit you to include worship music in the service. If you wish to include other music recordings or performances, we recommend contacting PRS for Music to discuss your options.
Our Weddings and Funerals article provides more details on the considerations when using copyrighted materials during a wedding service.
We trust that these answers have been helpful. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
