Copyright
Parish workers know how convenient the photocopier is for duplicating bulletins, scripture readings, rosters, etc. When it comes reproduction for the liturgy - music, texts, art work - this convenience carries with it a responsibility to ensure that copyright procedures are followed: seeking permission; arranging financial payments to copyright holders or their agents; ensuring the required acknowledgment is included on the copy; and, when required, keeping records of what has been copied.
The observance of copyright procedures is one factor which keeps the cost of books at a reasonable level and means that those involved in the production of liturgical materials, such as writers, composers and artists, can remain employed in their field of work. The provision of the following information, mostly taken from a booklet entitled Music and Copyright (Melbourne: Commission for Liturgy, 1992), might be helpful for people responsible for copyright in their parishes.
Pastoral ministers are also advised to consult Music Copyright for Churches (Sydney: APRA/AMCOS, 2006) which is obtainable from the Australasian Performing Rites Association in Sydney, tel: (02) 9935 7900; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.apra.com.au and Churches and Copyright: Information Sheet (Sydney: Australian Copyright Council, 2008) tel: (02) 8815 9777; fax: (02) 8815 9799; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.copyright.org.au.
Copyright Contacts
Liturgical Texts
Copyright on excerpts from the Sacramentary or one of the ritual books is held by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL). Parishes preparing a service booklet for weddings, funerals or other sacramental celebrations who reproduce any ICEL translated texts (eg. opening prayers, Gloria) are not required to write for permission.
Acknowledgment should be provided, however, for example:
Excerpts from the English translation of the Roman Missal © 1973,
International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
CEL's contact address is 1522 K St North West, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 2005-1202, USA. Tel : 011 1 (202) 347-0800 or Fax: 0015 1 (202) 347-1839. Copyright permission email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Website: www.icelweb.org
Scripture Texts
According to the Churches' Copyright Directory (London: Stainer & Bell, 1992) extracts of up to 500 words from the Jerusalem Bible translation in the Australian Lectionary (London: Collins Liturgical/Geoffrey Chapman, 1981) can be used with the following acknowledgment:
Scripture readings are taken from the Jerusalem Bible © 1985 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Company Inc. Used by permission.
To reproduce texts of the Jerusalem Bible for other purposes, contact Darton, Longman & Todd & Doubleday, 1 Spencer Court, 140-142 Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 4JJ. Tel: 0011 44 (20) 8875-0155 or Fax: 0015 44 (20) 8875-0133. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . www.darton-longman-todd.co.uk/contactus.asp.
Psalms
Gratis permission is given to parishes to include the responsorial psalms in worship aids for one time use. the acknowledgment required is:
Psalm text taken from Psalms: The New Translation © 1963 published by HarperCollinsReligious by permission of A. P. Watt Ltd on behalf of The Grail, England.
When requesting permission to reproduce The Grail psalm translations with responses prepared by ICEL for other purposes (eg. semi-permanent worship aid) write to A.P. Watt Ltd, 20 John St, London, England, WC1P 2DL. Tel: 0011 44 (20) 7405-6774 or Fax: 0015 44 (20) 7831-2154.
Liturgical Music
Copyright on the text, melody and arrangement of liturgical music is normally indicated either at the end of the piece of music or, in the case of a hymnal, within a section of copyright acknowledgments at the back of the collection. To reproduce these for liturgical use, permission is required from the appropriate copyright holder or their local agent.
Music Copyright Agents
- Word of Life International
PO Box 345
Mirboo North Vic 3871
Tel: (03) 5664 9245; Fax: (03) 5664 9249
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.freelink.com.au
- Christian Copyright Licensing International [CCLI]
PO Box 6644
Baulkham Hills BC NSW 2153
Freecall 1800 635 474; Tel: (02) 9894 5386; Fax: (02) 9894 5701
www.ccli.com.au
Displaying Permissions
Copyright licences require overheads, song sheets and service booklets to display copyright permissions. Acknowledgments should be worded in accordance with the licence agreement. For example, on overheads include the title, author and composer and, at the base of the text/music, copyright date, copyright holder and, where applicable, Australian agent, "All rights reserved," "Used with Permission" and the Licence Number. Acknowledgments in booklets can be included beneath individual items or grouped collectively at the end.
Annual Survey Forms
Copyright licences require a record of parish usage for a period of time, indicating which works have been sung, how many times and the average size of your congregation. It is also necessary to indicate if you have made a photocopy or exact replica of the music/words and to write the name of the hymnbook or publisher from which you made your photocopy.
Duration of Copyright
For up to date information about duration of copyright, please see Duration of Copyright: Information Sheet (Sydney: Australian Copyright Council 2008) [G023v14] at www.copyright.org.au/pdf/acc/infosheets_pdf/G023.pdf