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 South Africa
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| "If I were allowed only one bookmark on my computer, it would have to be the CCLI web site! If there were only one resource available to the music ministry of our church (other than the Bible), it would most definitely be CCLI!" | | ~ Rick Founds - Songwriter, Worship Leader |
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 FAQs: Viewing FAQ
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When a songwriter writes a song, that song is automatically protected by copyright law, as a piece of intellectual property. Songwriters have the right to control what happens with their songs.
Copyright is actually a bundle of rights. In songs there can be the following copyrights:
* The copyright of the original song, usually including words and music, although these can be separate.
* The copyright on an arrangement of the music.
* The copyright on the publication, whether in the form of a songbook or sheet music. This is really the copyright on the typesetting of the song.
* The copyright in a sound recording.
Copyright includes the right to control how songs are used. This includes the following uses of music:
* The right to reproduce the song, including by photocopying, printing, and writing by hand. There is a difference between reproduction of the lyrics and reproduction of the music of the song.
* The right to record the song, whether live (for example in a worship service), or in a studio for public release.
* The right to publish the song.
* The right to arrange the song. This includes alteration of the words and/or music in the song.
* The right to broadcast the song and transmit it by cable.
*The right to perform the song
Songwriters often assign their rights to Administrators to make it easier to administer. For example, Phil Pringle's music is administered by Seam of Gold.
Whenever a song is to be reproduced, you must consider what areas of copyright are likely to be affected, and therefore what permission must be sought. For example, in photocopying from a songbook, there are at least two areas of copyright affected, that of the copyright in the original song, and the copyright in the publication. Sometimes there may also be a copyright in an arrangement to be considered.
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