Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) has been administering the Church Copyright Licence in the UK through Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd. (CClE) since 1991. CC lE now supports and resources over 33,000 organisations within the UK representing over 67,000 active licences.

CCLI continues to concentrate on copyright clearance relating to the reproduction of hymns and worship songs. However, as you may be aware, there are many other areas of church life affected by copyright law.

It is the desire of CCLI to serve the church family by enabling it to use the vast array of resources available in a convenient and legal manner. Some of these licences may be new to many people but they have been long established and are affecting more and more churches. Now you can obtain all these licences from one address.

Almost all churches are being affected by copyright law as the way we communicate changes. In the past many churches used only hymnbooks which they had purchased and nothing more, whereas today computers, fax machines, photocopiers, cassette and CD,players, video players and overhead projectors are a part of everyday church life.

Today's church produces its own song-sheets, overhead projector acetates, records its services and plays CD's and tapes through a sound system and produces film clips for sermon illustrations and film shows for entertainment purposes.

CCLI is concerned that the Church has access to reproduce copyright material and is free to concentrate on communicating the Gospel in a way that assists the church to grow. By CClE becoming the "one stop" resource for your church, CCLI makes available all the information you require and ensure you act within the law by making available the appropriate copyright cover for your church's activities.

Internationally, CCLI has 16 years of experience in copyright licensing and has built up a reputation of integrity and professionalism within the licensing industry. This has been confirmed by a number of licensing agencies looking to CCLE to become the "one stop" copyright resource for the Church throughout the United Kingdom.

Our Mission Statement remains unchanged...

To encourage the spirit of praise and worship, through music, to the local church collectively and to Christians individually, so that they may enhance their worship expression spontaneously, conveniently, affordably and legally.

By CClE representing other agencies we can ensure the majority of the licence fees collected are put back into Christian work.

This web page sets out the main licences currently available through Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd. Together they cover copyright clearance for hymn and worship song reproduction (words and music), music performance, reproduction of copyright publications and magazines for teaching and research and video/film show performances.

It also includes details on how to obtain SongSelect®, the worship resource available only from CCLl.

We have tried to convey in simple terms the benefits of each licence and what is covered. However, this web page is only designed to give an overview, so please get in touch by the address listed above for further clarification of each licence.

You may find that you require all the licences or that only one is required - you may even find that you don't require any licence! If you are unsure of the cover you require please call a member of the Customer Service Team on (01323) 436103 who will be able to give further advice.

The Church Copyright Licence (CCL) & The Music Reproduction Licence (MRL)

When would my church need a CCl and MRL?

You would need a CCL and MRL to:

• Project hymn & worship song words from an overhead acetate

• Store and retrieve hymns and worship songs from a computer

• Create your own service sheets that contain song words

• Photocopy music from popular authorised music publications

• Audio or video record music from your service for those who may not be able to attend (this benefit is covered by the Church Copyright Licence as CCLE is agent to the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society)

CCLE can offer you a licence for the reproduction of words only, or for greater convenience the "words only" licence can be combined with the Music Reproduction Licence. By adding these two licences together, you receive the further benefit of being able to photocopy the words as well as the music.

Note - The prices quoted below are for the combined words and music licences. If you require the words only licence (i.e. no music) a reduced rate is available. Please call Customer Service on (01323) 436103 for details.  

Performing Right Society (PRS)
Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd. Agent for
The PRS Church Licence

When would my church need a PRS Church Licence?

You would need a PRS Church Licence for your church (and in some cases church hall) if you play or permit the use of music of almost any kind.

For example, “music uses” include any one or more of the following:
Concerts and recitals (except at cathedrals and certain churches subject to PRS’ direct licence*); discos, dances, and karaoke sessions; aerobic, keep fit or dancing classes; film or video shows; background music by means of a television and radio; tape; record; CD and video players and juke boxes at such events as coffee mornings, youth clubs, fetes, bazaars and so on.

Please note that this list of uses is a guide only. Please phone CCLE Customer service on (01323) 436103 if you require further clarification.

Where music us is strictly confined to Divine Worship only, PRS will not press for a licence to be obtained for the time being. However, the PRS Church Licence covering secular performances will be deemed to cover music at Divine Worship without distinction or further change.

PRS controls a vast international repertoire of millions of copyright musical works. So, by obtaining a single PRS Church Licence and paying the appropriate fee you will be legally covered for performances of both Christian and Secular music.

Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA)

Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd. agent for

The CLA Church Licence  

When would my church need a CLA Church Licence?

You are likely to need a CLA Church Licence if your church photocopies or reproduces copyright material from copyright publications i.e. books, journals, periodicals and magazines.

The CLA Church Licence does not cover lyrics and music of hymns and worship songs. These are covered by The Church Copyright Licence (CCL) and the Music Reproduction Licence (MRL) - please see terms of agreement for further details of the CCL and MRL.

The situations where a church might wish to reproduce copyright material (whether by photocopying or digitally) are numerous and include: sermon notes, Sunday school, youth groups and small group teaching notes/booklets, church magazines, hand-outs, drama scripts, training sessions, quiz nights and presentations. The CLA represents authors and publishers and on their behalf licences photocopying and digital copying from books, journals, periodicals and magazines. A full list of exclusions for items not covered is available on request from CCLE.

Some limited copying may be permitted without a licence under fair dealing provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. In addition the publishers of some liturgical material (e.g. Church House Publishing for much Church of England material) have made special provisions for copying in some circumstances. If you do not copy more than is permitted under such provisions, you do not need a CLA Church Licence. Please note that the list of situations is a guide only.

Please phone CCLE Customer Services on (01323) 436103 if you require further clarification.

Christian Video Licensing Europe Ltd

Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd. agent for

The Video Licence

 When would my church need a Video Licence (VL)?

  You would need a VL to:

• Play clips of videos to illustrate sermons

• Show films for teaching or entertainment in childrens meetings

• Hold film clubs on your church premises

• Utilise videos and films for education and teaching

• Please note that this list of uses is a guide only. Please phone Customer Services on 01323 436103 if you require further clarification.

Why do I need a Video Licence?

Pre-recorded home videocassettes or videodiscs, those commonly available in retail or rental stores, are intended for personal, home use only. These videos generally do not carry licences for non-home performances. Viewing outside of the home, such as in a church, church hall, Sunday school facilities,

requires a licence which specifically allows authorised videos* to be shown. This is the case even for non-profit groups, even if admission is not being charged, or if the home videocassette or videodisc has been purchased

*A list of current authorized producers is available on request from CCLE

Certain Terms and Conditions apply. This guide covers a majority of routine activities for which churches need a licence, but is not exhaustive.
Other organisations may need to be contacted. Licences for certain church activities are obtained directly from relevant copyright owners.

All text and images reproduced with kind permission of CCLI.