Copyright & Legal Information
Important guidelines for using copyrighted materials in your church
Important Notice
King James Version (KJV)
The King James Version (1611) is in the public domain and can be freely used, quoted, copied, and distributed without permission or licensing fees.
Modern Translations
Most modern Bible translations (NIV, ESV, NASB, NLT, etc.) are copyrighted and have specific usage guidelines:
- Limited quotations: Usually 500-1000 verses per year without permission
- Attribution required: Must credit the translation name
- Commercial use: Requires written permission from publisher
- Complete books: Cannot reproduce entire books without permission
Church Copyright Licenses (CCLI)
Churches typically need the following licenses to legally use copyrighted music:
- CCLI Copyright License
Covers printing song lyrics in bulletins, creating overhead transparencies/slides, and recording services
- CCLI Streaming License
Required for live streaming or recording services that include copyrighted music
- Performance License
Covers public performance of recorded music (from ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC)
License Information
Sermon Videos & Recordings
- Your church owns the copyright to original sermon content
- Can freely share on your website, YouTube, or social media
- Must have streaming license if recording includes copyrighted music
- Third-party video clips require permission unless fair use applies
Movie Clips & Commercial Videos
Showing movie clips or commercial videos in church services typically requires:
- CVLI (Church Video License International) for showing DVDs/videos
- Permission from copyright holder for online streaming
Using Others' Sermon Materials
- Ideas and concepts: Generally not copyrightable
- Direct quotes: Should be attributed to the original author
- Entire sermons: Cannot be copied verbatim without permission
- Sermon series ideas: Can be adapted with your own content
Best Practice
Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Four factors are considered:
- 1. Purpose and character of use
Nonprofit, educational use favors fair use
- 2. Nature of the copyrighted work
Published, factual works favor fair use more than creative works
- 3. Amount used
Using smaller portions favors fair use
- 4. Effect on market value
If use doesn't harm the market for the original work
Generally Allowed
- • Using KJV Bible freely
- • Sharing your own sermons
- • Brief quotes with attribution
- • Small portions under fair use
- • Original worship songs
Requires Permission/License
- • Modern Bible translations (bulk use)
- • Copyrighted worship songs
- • Streaming with music
- • Movie clips/commercial videos
- • Complete sermon copies