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Copyright Confusion?
Look here for some help

Copyright is the sole right of the copyright owner (usually the author) to reproduce, in whole or in part, any literary, dramatic, or artistic works. Protected works include books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, brochures, manuals, photographs, government material, artistic prints, cartoons, and sheet music. Only the copyright owner or someone authorized by the owner may reproduce such works.

Under the Copyright Act, it is unlawful to copy copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder. "Copy" refers to practically any conceivable way: photocopying, recording by audio or video (still or moving) means, saving on any kind of computer disk or electronic medium, or even by the simple but mighty pencil/pen.

For information on Canadian copyright law, click here for the government site.

The next section deals with information that is in printed or electronic form, such as computer diskettes and CDs. See copyright information for videos (films and DVDs) below.

The Copyright Act

The Copyright Act provides that only the copyright owner or someone authorized by the copyright owner has the right to copy all, or any substantial part, of any literary, dramatic, artistic or musical work. Generally the copyright owner is the author or the publisher. Protected works include books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, manuals, photographs, government materials, artistic prints and sheet music whether or not they have been commercially published.

A work is protected by copyright law whether or not a copyright notice appears on it.

The general rule is that only the copyright owner or someone authorized by the copyright owner may make copies.

Personal Use Exemptions:

  • Copies from a reference book, magazine, or newspaper for a school project;
  • Graduation diplomas/course certificates;
  • Cancelled cheques.

Personal Use Exemptions do not apply in the following cases:

  • Photographs taken by a professional photographer, including team, school or aerial photos;
  • Whole books or chapters from books;
  • Sheet music or whole musical works;
  • Knitting patterns (or whole artistic works);
  • Any copying of 25 or more copies is deemed as not for personal use.

Public Domain
If any work is defined as being "public domain," this means there is no copyright holder for the work, and it may be freely copied without prior permission.

Copyright Information and Worship Resources
Worship resources – hymns, liturgy, texts, music – are either in the public domain or are copyrighted by various publishers. Most resources have copyright holders.

Printed worship resources normally contain a section for its contents with respect to copyright information, and may also list the various copyright holders with contact information.

Augsburg Fortress has developed "Lutheran Resources for Worship," a set of computer disks and copyright licenses to reproduce the liturgies in the Lutheran Book of Worship and in With One Voice.
They also have a license for reproducing the texts and music of over 1,200 hymns in the Lutheran Book of Worship, With One Voice, This Far by Faith, Worship & Praise and ecumenical collections. Licences are also available for alternative liturgical texts, lectionary readings and graphics.
License applications forms are available by calling 1-800-265-6397.
Click here for Augsburg Fortress Copyright information.

A large body of hymns that can be copied by copyright license is available also from:
Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI); and LicenSing.

Before you copy, ask yourself:
Is what I am about to copy an infringement of The Copyright Act as outlined above?

Seeking Copyright Permission
Permission to copy printed material or electronic data may be sought directly from the copyright owner. The copyright notice and information is normally found within the printed material, or in a file on electronic media. Alternatively, information may be obtained by contacting the publisher/author/composer. It is recommended that a copy of all correspondence be kept on file, for records and for proof that copyright permission has been sought.

Videos (Films, DVDs)

Videos (films and DVDs) rented from your local video store or purchased by you are to be used only for private home viewing.

To use them anywhere else (Worship, Sunday School, Youth Group, ELW, etc.) is considered to be a "public performance" and is a copyright violation. This applies regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, whether for non-profit or educational purposes.

A public performance license (for churches/religious organizations) must be purchased in order to show videos at your church, or any place outside of your home.

Seeking Copyright Permission
Permission for an individual video may be sought directly from the copyright owner. The copyright notice and information is normally written on the actual video-cassette or its accompanying case/literature.

An annual license is available which covers thousands of titles from most of the major studios. Productions include: award-winning films, documentaries, animated features and many more.

One such licensing agent is Audio Cine Films Inc. (ACF). For more information, contact their website at Audio Cine Films Inc., or call 1-800-289-8887.

Another is Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI). For more information, contact thier website at Christian Video Licensing International, or call 1-888-771-2854.