Copyright-Checklist for Churches - Information on Question No. 5

Do you show entire films or film scenes at church, sunday school or youth group?

To show films or film scenes publicly you need the permission of the copyright owner. DVDs or VHS' that you buy or rent are for personal use only. The copyright information in the film credits clearly state that these films are not covered for public viewing.

In order to help churches to get the nessecary permission for public viewing, CCLI offers the Church Video Licence (CVL). With this licence churches are allowed to show entire films or film scenes as part of their church activities. More than 350 film producers (copyright owners) joined the CVL licence scheme. Participating film producers include Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Christian Cinema, SCM Hänssler or movies of the ERF as well as renown producers like Castle Hill Productions, Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks or Universal.

The CVL is a blanket licence. That means the licence holder may show as many films of the CVL repertoire as he wants to during the one year licence period. The owners do not require you to report what films you used. Click here to get further information on the CVL.

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