Are churches allowed to show movies?

The Church Video License® provides legal coverage for churches and organizations to publicly show motion pictures and movie scenes. Please Note: The Church Video License does not cover illegally-obtained media nor does it allow charging admission fees for screenings or other use.

What movies are covered under CCLI?

The Church Video Licence (CVL) from CCLI covers most major film studios and distributors including 20th Century, Disney, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Pixar and Universal. However, CCLI appreciates that determining whether a particular film is covered isn’t always easy.

Can I show a film in a church hall?

Many churches now include short scenes from films to act as a visual aid during a sermon or children’s talk. Therefore, in order to show film scenes during Sunday services you only require permission from the film producer. A Church Video Licence, available from CCLI, covers most of the top film producers and studios.

Can I show a movie to a large group?

If you’re watching a movie in a group with your family and friends in your home, there is no issue under copyright law. If the showing is considered public, you are restricted by copyright law. Typically, you can’t legally show a movie to the public unless you obtain public performance license from the copyright owner.

How do I get copyright permission for a movie?

In general, the permissions process involves a simple five-step procedure:

1. Determine if permission is needed.
2. Identify the owner.
3. Identify the rights needed.
4. Contact the owner and negotiate whether payment is required.
5. Get your permission agreement in writing.

How do you license a movie for public viewing?

To obtain a public performance license:

1. Check with the copyright holder directly.
2. Check with the distributor to see if they have the authority from the copyright holder to grant licenses. (This is a good method for documentaries.)
3. In the case of major feature films, you can use a licensing service.

Does CCLI cover YouTube videos?

As a general rule, CCLI recommends that you don’t use YouTube to show any other videos without the explicit permission of the copyright owner.

What does CCLI video license cover?

The CCLI Copyright License ensures your church is covered. Simply and legally. The Copyright License is tailored to your congregational singing activities and provides broad coverage for lyric storage, projections, song sheets, bulletin inserts, instrumental/vocal arrangements and service recordings.

How much does it cost to license a movie for public showing?

Budget several hundred dollars for a yearly licence, depending on your location and on the size of your audience. For a one-off event, the costs for a standard movie licence vary from $300 to $1000.

Is movie hopping illegal?

Before proceeding, please realize that movie hopping is grounds for being banned from the theater or escorted out. Very rarely you can be arrested for theft of services (similar to shoplifting).

When can I use copyrighted material without permission?

What is fair use? Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder for purposes such as criticism, parody, news reporting, research and scholarship, and teaching.

What is the penalty for using something that is copyrighted without permission?

Using creative works such as a logo, photo, image or text without permission can infringe copyright law. All businesses need to understand how to legally use copyrighted material. If you break copyright law – even by accident – you can face large fines and even imprisonment.