It is acceptable to make copies of copyrighted material without permission if they are used at a religious institution.
INCORRECT
According to international copyright law, music copying, music projecting, and music sharing require explicit permission to do any of the following, regardless of whether or not it is on behalf of a religious institution. Without explicit permission you are at risk of copyright infringement.
- Make copies of copyrighted material
- Print bulletins, worship aids, song books, or song sheets containing copyrighted works for use in church services, Bible studies, prayer groups, or classes
- Make a transparency, a slide, or an electronic file (such as PowerPoint, Keynote, or Prezi) of a copyrighted work for projection
- Make a photocopy of a copyrighted work for use by a musical accompanist in order to sing a solo
- Make audio recordings or podcasts of worship services, theatrical performances, or prayer experiences that include copyrighted works
- Make videos of worship services or special musical presentations, such as youth, children’s, and holiday performances when copyrighted works are performed
Put simply, you may not reproduce of copyrighted materials if by doing so you are avoiding purchase of the material in its published form—be it sheet music, anthem, another hymnal, or something obtained from another publication.
CORRECT
According to international copyright law, music copying, music projecting, and music sharing require explicit permission to do any of the following, regardless of whether or not it is on behalf of a religious institution. Without explicit permission you are at risk of copyright infringement.
- Make copies of copyrighted material
- Print bulletins, worship aids, song books, or song sheets containing copyrighted works for use in church services, Bible studies, prayer groups, or classes
- Make a transparency, a slide, or an electronic file (such as PowerPoint, Keynote, or Prezi) of a copyrighted work for projection
- Make a photocopy of a copyrighted work for use by a musical accompanist in order to sing a solo
- Make audio recordings or podcasts of worship services, theatrical performances, or prayer experiences that include copyrighted works
- Make videos of worship services or special musical presentations, such as youth, children’s, and holiday performances when copyrighted works are performed
Put simply, you may not reproduce of copyrighted materials if by doing so you are avoiding purchase of the material in its published form—be it sheet music, anthem, another hymnal, or something obtained from another publication.
