Abandoned
Since infogami has been abandoned by its creators, I’m out too. Back to web.fisher.cx for me. Everything that was here is there.
Robert Fisher
Just thinking out loud
copyright for the church musician
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First & formost: I am not a lawyer!
There are many copyright issues for a church musician to consider. Some of which are:
- Copying lyrics.
- Copying music notation.
- Recording worship or other events.
- Playing recordings at worship or other events.
- Live performance.
It is important to realize that while a particular composition might be in the public domain, that a particular expression of that composition—a recorded performance or a printed score—probably will be protected by copyright.
Some people think that it is enough to get a CCLI license & that it covers everything related to copyright. It does not!
Here's generally where you need to go to get rights for copying, recording, or performing:
- Lyrics: CCLI
- Notation: publisher
- Recording: CCLI/publisher
- Playing recordings: publisher
- Live performance: ? (but see note below)
17 U.S.C. §106(4) gives the copyright holder (normally the composer) exclusive performance rights. 17 U.S.C. §110(3), however, gives an explicit exception for:
performance of a nondramatic literary or musical work or of a dramatico-musical work of a religious nature, or display of a work, in the course of services at a place of worship or other religious assembly
What is not protected:
- Song titles are not protected.
- Chord progressions are not protected.
last updated 2 years ago #
