The Church Copyright Licence/
Collective Worship Copyright Licence
The CCLI® Church Copyright Licence™/Collective Worship Copyright Licence™ is the most comprehensive, convenient and cost effective means of copyright clearance available for songs used in congregational singing. This licence offers a simple alternative to seeking direct permission from each copyright owner, while ensuring copyright owners are fairly rewarded for the use of their work.
The licence permits you to:
- Store song lyrics in a computer or create overhead transparencies for projection to assist with congregational/assembly singing.
- Print songs, hymns and lyrics in service sheets.
- Create your own customised songbooks or hymnals.
- Arrange, print and copy your own vocal or instrumental arrangements of songs for congregational/assembly use, where no published version is available.
- Translate song lyrics into another language for congregational singing, where no published version is available.
The licence does not permit you to:
- Photocopy or duplicate typeset sheet music
- Alter the words or music of any authorised hymn or song
- Record your services/meetings where the recording includes live or pre-recorded music
- Rent, sell, lend or distribute copies made under the licence to anyone outside the church/school
- Assign or transfer the licence to any other church/school or group without CCLI’s approval. This is a congregation-specific licence, meaning it is not tied to a specific building
- Stream songs performed in your church services in audio and/or video, which requires an additional Streaming Licence
Essential Information
This licence is available as an annual or 14-day event licence
All terms are in effect only when the licence is active. If the licence is not renewed, all rights are terminated effective on the expiration date and all song copies made under the licence agreement must be destroyed.
Licence fees for churches are based on the average number of people (aged five and above) who attend your main service or the total number attending your event. Licence fees for schools are based on the number of pupils on the school roll or attending the event. For more details, see the Terms of Agreement.
Copyright Notice
Licence Holders are responsible for including a copyright notice on all songs reproduced under this licence. The copyright notice should include writer credit(s) and copyright information, for example:
“Hallelujah” Words and music by John Smith
© 2000 Good Music Co. CCL licence: 123456
Reporting
Under the licence Terms of Agreement it is necessary to report the songs you have reproduced under this licence. All reporting must be done using CCLI’s Reporting website. We recommend you do this on an ongoing basis, preferably weekly or as often as songs are reproduced. Further information on reporting.
Photocopying, scanning or electronic file-sharing
A separate copyright exists in typeset pages. This means that if you wish to make copies directly from authorised music books/publications you’ll almost certainly need the Music Reproduction Licence™/Collective Worship Music Reproduction Licence™ which is available as a supplement to the Church Copyright Licence/Collective Worship Copyright Licence. A direct copy includes a photocopy, scan or duplication of a file, for example, by emailing a sheet music PDF to another person.
Sourcing official lyrics and sheet music
CCLI offers convenient one-stop access to the authorised lyrics, lead, chord and multi-part vocal sheets for thousands of the hymns and songs covered under the CCL via the SongSelect website. SongSelect® is available via annual subscription as a supplement to the Church Copyright Licence/Collective Worship Copyright Licence. Additionally, SongSelect can be integrated with a number of common worship planning/projection packages.
Further information
Licence Fees
Find out the cost for an annual or 14 day event Church Copyright Licence
or Collective Worship Copyright Licence.
Licence Terms
View the full Terms of Agreement for these licences.
FAQs
Search Frequently Asked Questions about the reproduction of song words and sheet music in worship.
