The Church Copyright Licence

The CCLI® Church 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 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 use, where no published version is available

The licence does not permit you to:

• Photocopy or duplicate typeset sheet music
• Record services that include music
• Alter the words or music of any authorised hymn or song
• 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
• 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. 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.

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. Additionally, SongSelect can be integrated with a number of common worship planning/projection packages.

Further information

The following requirements are the responsibility of the licence Holder as stated under the terms of the Copyright licence agreement.

• licence Fees
  Find out the cost for an annual or 14 day event Church Copyright Licence
• Licence Terms
  View the full Terms of Agreement for this licence.
• FAQs
  Search Frequently Asked Questions about the reproduction of song words and sheet music in worship.