It has been one of my goals for the past year to get back to sharing on this blog. So, with everything going crazy around us it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back to it and share some of what I have been learning with you about live streaming and the copyright issues that go along with it.
The definition of a Copycat according to Google is a person who copies another’s behavior, dress, or ideas. Sometimes this is considered the highest form of flattery…and sometimes it is not. Especially when a colleague or someone you do not know “steals” or uses YOUR idea as if it were their own and gets the kudos, promotion, credit, spotlight, etc.
That leads me to the subject of Copyright. Google defines it as the exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same. In other words, “permission to reproduce photographs and other copyright material”. During this time of pandemic that we are living through, this subject has been coming up more than ever as we have had to transition to hold meetings, services, etc. online.
What is permissible and what is not? What happens if I go ahead and do whatever I want to because we are a church and it will not matter. They will forgive and forget. You really think so? God does, but the law and people are not always so forgiving. Here are a few things to consider as your church continues with this new normal of being online:
- When it comes to using graphics in your printed material, on the website, or your online service, you need to stay off Google and use ONLY pictures that you have permission to use. Oh, you thought Google was free for all? It is NOT. Now, there is ONE exception and that is if you go to the tab at the top and click on TOOLS, then Usage Rights. That gives you several options to use for reuse and the only way I use Google images. Usually there are not many options, for a reason, but occasionally I get lucky. There are several sites that offer free images and you can check those out on our website under the Covid19 Resource page. You can also create your own using free software such as Canva, which is my personal favorite.
- Secular Music – If you include even ONE secular song in your set or as special music that goes along with the sermon series, etc, you need to have a special license. If you do not, you can get your account flagged or taken down all together by YouTube. You cannot post secular lyrics on the screen, however. Check out this WORSHIPcast Church Streaming License from CCS that will cover Christian and secular music. Just be sure the song is in their catalog of covered songs. More on that and more is included on their website.
- Contemporary/Hymns – A license is needed for this music as well. You can check out the link above or CCLI. Keep in mind that the music you include on Facebook or YouTube needs to be live and not pre-recorded music tracks. So, use piano, guitars, etc. as accompaniment.
- Background Music for Videos – You may want to use iTunes music from your library, but this is technically not legal. You don’t own the music even though you “purchased” it to add to your collection, you are really just renting it. It can be an expensive and daunting task to get these copyright permissions but there are other options. Bensound.com is a good one if you want music with no lyrics and it is free. You can also use the free audio library that YouTube offers if using YouTube. Public Domain sites like www.pond5.com/free offer options without having to worry about copyright. This article from Biteable also has several great paid and free options.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. Please do your own research as well, but this should be a great starting place going on some of the questions I have been getting. I am not an expert but I get a lot of GREAT resources from a LOT of different resources.
Until next time….and hopefully it won’t be a LONG time coming this time. 🙂
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