Specialist Uses

Live performance of Music & Words

Congregational worship

Provided that an event is congregational worship (‘an act of divine worship’) and is not a presentation or performance, no fees are payable for using copyright music and words, though if words are reproduced on hymn-sheets or projected on a screen, and/or if a choir or band are using copied pages from a hymnbook, you need the relevant permissions or licences, as outlined on Copyright Basics.

Performance of copyright works outside ‘divine worship’

If the event you are planning constitutes a performance outside of an act of divine worship – in other words, an audience is listening to a singing group, band, or choir performing, or to an instrumental recital – and if copyright material is being used, performance royalties must be paid. The Performing Right Society (PRS) will license performances directly, or CCLE offer a licence for churches on their behalf – see Copyright Agencies.

Musicals

Neither the PRS or the CCLE administer performing licenses with respect to Musicals, so permission to perform any musical must be sought direct from the copyright owner.

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