14.05.2020
Information on Copyright for use of Hymns in Online Church Services
There have been numerous enquiries about copyright in relation to the performance of hymns during online services. The information below, which has been compiled by the Church of Ireland Press Office may be of some assistance.
The Church of Ireland Press Office has published updated guidance for planning and setting up online services. Below is the information provided on copyright, which may be of interest to those currently streaming or broadcasting services online. You can read the guidelines in full, which include information on safeguarding, avoiding advertising and external videos and data protection on the Church of Ireland website at: https://www.ireland.anglican.org/resources/606/covid19-guidance-for-online-services
The Church provides resources to support congregations which have limited access to musicians through the provision of Recorded Church Music, which includes many of the hymns from the Church Hymnal. If you think that this may be helpful for your parish, please contact the Revd Dr Peter Thompson at donaghmore@armagh.anglican.org
Christian Copyright Licensing International provides information on the copyright status of over 20,000 hymns and songs. CCLI Ireland provide song listings and also copyright and streaming licences for churches. Please visit https://ie.ccli.com/streaming for more information regarding copyright and streaming in Ireland.
You may also require an online music licence if you are using material covered by the CCLI copyright but which is performed by someone other than (a) a musician who is performing music for the audio–visual content or (b) Recorded Church Music. For enquiries, please contact:
IMRO (for the Republic of Ireland) Tel: 01 661 4844 Web: www.imro.ie
A number of songs are not covered by CCLI and are therefore not included in its listings. In that instance, permission should be sought from the relevant copyright authority. Two particularly relevant authorities are Oregon Catholic Press, which holds the copyright for several songs in the Church Hymnal, and Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, in relation to the Taizé Community’s music. Please consult their websites for more information. Oregon Catholic Press: www.ocp.org/reprint–permissions Taizé: www.taize.fr